Benzotriazole-assisted beta-deprotonation of (alpha-benzotriazolylviny
l) ethers occurs stereoselectively at the cis position as shown by que
nching with a variety of electrophiles. Semiempirical calculations of
the lithiated enol ethers by PM3 and MNDO methods disclosed a higher s
tabilization for the cis-isomers over the corresponding trans-isomers.