An iron(III) salt catalyzed retro-Claisencondensation between an alcohol and a 1,3-diketone was investigated. The mechanism involves the formation of a metal-induced six-membered cyclic transition state and cleavage of the C–C bond. Regioselective esterification and one-pot conversion of silyl ethers into esters with good yields was observed. Simple reaction conditions, high yields, and broad scope