Organocatalytic Enantioselective Intramolecular Oxa-Michael Reaction of Enols: Synthesis of Chiral Isochromenes

An unprecedented enantioselective intramolecular oxa-Michael reaction of enols has been described. A squaramide-containing tertiary amine based bifunctional organocatalyst efficiently activates the o-homoformyl chalcones to provide the chiral isochromenes in moderate yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities. Further, late-stage functionalizations of the vinyl ether moiety of the chiral isochromene products have also been exemplified.