[GRAPHICS] Lewis acid (BF3. OEt2) catalyzed condensation of dimethoxy acetal 2 with alpha-hydroxy acids produces chiral 1,3-dioxolanones I. The enolates derived from these compounds undergo reactions with alkyl halides with a high level of diastereoselectivity. Subsequent hydrolysis of these alkylated products II gives mono- and disubstituted alpha-hydroxy acids III with high enantiomeric excesses.