Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of flavanones and chromanones

The enantioselective synthesis of flavanones and chromanones is described. Bifunctional thiourea catalysts promote an asymmetric oxo-conjugate addition to a beta-ketoester alkylidene in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity (80-94% ee) for aryl and alkyl substrates. Decarboxylation of the beta-ketoester proceeds smoothly in a one-pot procedure to afford the enantioenriched flavanones and chromanones.