A general method for the formation of zinc enolate equivalents from iodoacetates by diisopropylzinc-iodine exchange reaction:: Preparation of β-hydroxy esters

Diisopropylzine is found to be a highly efficient reagent for the formation of zinc enolate equivalents from various iodoacetates via iodine-zinc exchange reaction at room temperature, affording beta -hydroxy esters in high yields by the reaction with aldehydes and ketones.