Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted 3,4-Dihydro-2-quinolones

The first organocatalytic asymmetric reaction employing 3,4-dihydro-2-quinolone has been developed leading to the synthesis of biologically important 3,3-disubstituted-dihydro-2-quinolones. Cinchona alkaloid derived bifunctional amino-thiourea catalysts were found to be the best catalysts. The products were obtained in high enantio- and good diastereoselectivities and also few synthetic transformations have been demonstrated.