Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Dihydropyrans Using a Chiral N,N′-Dioxide as Organocatalyst

The bifunctional organocatalyst C3 N,N′-dioxide has been successfully applied to the asymmetric cascade Michael/hemiacetalization reaction of α-substituted cyano ketones and β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters for the synthesis of multifunctionalized chiral dihydropyrans. The corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).