Addition of Silyl Ketene Acetals to Nitrones Catalyzed by Lanthanide Triflates

α-Aryl-N-phenyl nitrones reacted with silyl ketene acetals mediated by lanthanum trifloromethanesulfonate (triflate) to afford the addition product in excellent yield under mild conditions. α-Aryl-N-tert-butyl nitrone reacted with ethyl trimethylsilylacetate to yield the unexpected α,β-unsaturated ester in a 100% E-form. A possible mechanism for the process is discussed.