N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysed redox isomerisation of esters to functionalised benzaldehydes

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysed redox isomerisation with reduction about the carbonyl has been developed in the transformation of trienyl esters to tetrasubstituted benzaldehydes. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yield, and in cases that provide 2,2'-biaryls, enantioselectivity is observed. Mechanistic studies demonstrate the intermediacy of a cyclohexenyl beta-lactone, while implicating formation of the homoenolate as turnover limiting.