Organocatalytic asymmetric direct vinylogous aldol reactions of γ-crotonolactone with aromatic aldehydes

Abstract

The direct aldol reaction of γ-crotonolactone and various aromatic aldehydes is catalyzed by bifunctional aminothiourea and aminosquaramide organocatalysts to provide diastereomerically and enantiomerically enriched 5-substituted 2(5H) furanones (γ-butenolides). The reaction is a simple alternative to the classical vinylogous aldol reaction of silyloxy furans.