three-component coupling reaction between vinyl ketones, aldehydes, and halides has been developed with TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NX combined reagents. Treatment of vinyl ketones with a TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NI combination followed by an addition of a variety of aldehydes provides syn-alpha-iodomethyl-beta-hydroxy ketones with high stereoselectivity. Methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide as well as n-Bu(4)NI acts efficiently