asymmetric transfer hydroxymethylation of activated isoindolinones, allowing us to prepare the enantioenriched hydroxymethylated adducts in good to excellent yields (48–96%) and enantiopurities (81:19–97:3 e.r.). To increase the reaction rate without compromising the selectivity, carefully optimized formaldehyde surrogates were employed, providing a convenient source of anhydrous formaldehyde with a base-triggered