Enantioselective organocatalytic domino Michael–acetalization–Henry reactions of 2-hydroxynitrostyrene and aldehyde for the synthesis of tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenones

Abstract

Asymmetric domino Michael–acetalization reactions of 2-hydroxynitrostyrene and aldehydes “on water” followed by oxidation providing the cis-3,4-disubstituted dihydrocoumarins with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The variant with glutaraldehyde underwent a highly stereoselective domino Michael–acetalization–Henry reaction to afford the tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones after the subsequent oxidation.