Y. Yokoyama et al., Reformatsky-type reaction with new calcium reagents by using calcium atom - THF co-condensates, MAIN GR MET, 23(11), 2000, pp. 691-693
Calcium vapor (atom) when co-condensed with THF reacts very smoothly with a
lpha -bromo- and alpha -chloroesters at -20 similar to -50 degreesC to affo
rd enolates, which react with aldehydes to give good yields of beta -hydrox
yesters in high stereoselectivity after hydrolysis.