A new reaction of diazomethane with norbornyl α-diketones in MeOH as solvent leading regioselectively to ketals is described. The mechanistic details of this intriguing reaction were investigated employing d4-MeOH, EtOH and d6-EtOH. The surprising observation of complete deuterium incorporation in the diazomethane-derived methoxy group was accounted for by sequential deuterium exchange between the initially formed hemiketal d 4-18 and diazomethane in the presence of d4-MeOH as solvent.