Reaction of t-BuLi with haloacetals 1 was studied according to the con
figuration Z/E, the halogen atom (X=Br, I), the acetal moiety (R=Me, E
t) and the solvent (Et(2)O, THF). While E bromoacetals in Et(2)O are s
ubject to an exclusive metallation, all other cases yield to an exchan
ge reaction. Diiodoacetal 9a is the precursor of eneacetals 10 and 11
of controlled Z or E configurations.