Aldol1 and Mannich reactions2 rely on the activation of carbonyl compounds by transforming them into enolates or their derivatives. These moieties have been synthesized from the carbonyl compounds by deprotonation with bases or deprotonation–enolate trap with electrophiles.1 However, because sensitive functional groups are not tolerated under these conditions, enolates or enol derivatives must be synthesized separately in advance of the addition of ...