Organocatalytic asymmetric strategies to carbocyclic structures by γ-alkylation-annulation sequences

Attractive carbocyclic structures are accessed via a highly regio- and enantioselective aminocatalytic gamma-addition of cyclic enals to vinyl phosphonates followed by a one-pot intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. It is also demonstrated that nitro olefins can act as electrophiles in a similar reaction concept, providing carbocycles in equally high stereoselectivity.