InCl3 was used as Lewis acid in the addition of silyl enolates and allyltrimethylsilane to aromatic aldimines and cyclic N-acyliminium ions derived from 5-acetoxylactams affording beta -aminocarbonyl systems and allyl adducts, respectively, in reasonable to good yields. The diastereofacial selectivity of cyclic N-acyliminium ions was investigated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.415199399942