Using PdCl2(PhCN)2-SnCl2, enol esters caused aldol-type condensation with aldehydes at 50-degrees-C in acetonitrile to produce (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Cyclic enol ester such as alpha-angelicalactone also reacted with aldehydes under the same conditions to afford gamma-substituted beta-acetyl-gamma-butyrolactones and/or 5-substituted 4-acetyl-2(5H)-furanones.