Highly syn-(87-98%) diastereoselective addition of (E)-cinnamyl(tributyl)tin to alpha-keto esters under the influence of titanium tetrachloride. leading to the isolation of pure alkyl syn-2-aryl-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpent-4-enoates in 50-80% yields, is described. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.