Ytterbium(III) triflate has been found to catalyze anionic additions of functionalized lithium (alpha-carbalkoxyvinyl)cuprates to chiral p-toluenesulfinimines (thiooxime S-oxides) in a cosolvent system (Et2O-CH2Cl2). This new system has made it possible to utilize those p-toluenesulfinimines of low solubility in Et2O as the electrophiles to react with anionic (alpha-carbalkoxyvinyl)cuprates for the asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding beta-mono and beta,beta-disubstituted Baylis-Hillman adducts. Modest yields (51.0-64.4% yield) and good to excellent diastereoselectivities (>90% de) were obtained. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.