Desymmetrization of Cyclohexadienones via Bronsted Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Oxo-Michael Reaction

Desymmetrization of cyclohexadienones via enantioselective oxo-Michael reaction catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acid to afford highly enantioenriched 1,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran derivatives in excellent yields has been realized. The newly established methodology allows the facile enantioselective synthesis of cleroindicins C, D, and F.