N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Annulation of Ylides with Ynals: Direct Access to α-Pyrones.

We herein report an N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation of ylides with ynals that provides an efficient protocol to make 4,6-disubstituted α-pyrones. This method affords a variety of α-pyrones in good to high yields as well as broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.