Asymmetric Access to the Smallest Enolate Intermediate via Organocatalytic Activation of Acetic Ester

An NHC-catalyzed activation of acetic esters to afford enolate intermediates is disclosed. The catalytically generated triazolium enolate intermediates serve as two-carbon nucleophiles that undergo highly enantioselective reactions with enones and alpha,beta-unsaturated imines to give a-unsubstituted delta-lactones and lactams, respectively.