Formal Asymmetric α-Alkenylation of Aldehydes and the Synthetic Application toward Forming α-exo-Methylene-γ-butyrolactones and Skipped Dienes.

A formal asymmetric α-alkenylation of aldehydes is reported based on the organocatalytic reaction of aldehydes with nitroacrylates. The reaction proceeds in a one-pot manner forming the products with up to 77% yield and up to >99% ee. This strategy is also successfully applied for the synthesis of α-exo-methylene-γ-butyrolactones and skipped diene scaffolds in a highly enantioselective manner.