A versatile multicomponent reaction based on the new four-carbon synthons α-alkenoyl ketene S, S-acetals 1 has been developed. This three-component reaction of readily available α-alkenoyl ketene S, S-acetals 1 with aldehydes 2 and active methylene compounds 3 proceeds smoothly in acidic medium (glacial acetic acid in tetrahydrofuran) to give various polyfunctionalized cyclohexanones 4, 5, and 6 in a highly regio-and ...