Anhydrides as α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium precursors: isothiourea-promoted catalytic asymmetric annulation processes

The asymmetric annulation of a range of alpha,beta-unsaturated acyl ammonium intermediates, formed from isothiourea HBTM 2.1 and anhydrides with either 1,3-dicarbonyls, beta-ketoesters or azaaryl ketones gives either functionalised esters (upon ring opening), dihydropyranones or dihydropyridones in good yields (up to 93%) and high enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee).