Vicinal dianions derived from diethyl alpha-aroylsuccinates were found to react with carbonyl compounds beta-regioselectively to afford alpha-aroyl-gamma-butyrolactones, which were converted into alpha-arylidene-gamma-butyrolactones by reduction with H-2/Pd-C followed by elimination employing methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine. The method provides a general and convenient route to alpha-aroyland alpha-arylidene-gamma-butyrolactones. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.