Process for alkylating protected spectinomycin enone derivatives in the gamma position in order to produce intermediates useful in the synthesis of 6'alkylspectinomycins. The intermediate have the formula ##STR1## which comprises reacting a compound having the formula ##STR2## with a strong base and an alkenyl halide, wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkoxycarbonyl, halogenated alkoxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and arylsulfone; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, trimethylsilyl (TMS), tetrahydropyran (THP), and triethylsilyl (TES); A is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur; M is selected from the group consisting of lithium and potassium; and n is an integer from 1 to 3.