Efficient enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyrans using a chiral N, N ′-dioxide as organocatalyst
The bifunctional organocatalyst C3 N,N′-dioxide has been successfully applied to the asymmetric cascade Michael/hemiacetalization reaction of α-substituted cyano ketones and β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters for the synthesis of multifunctionalized chiral dihydropyrans. The corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).