Chiral Fe(ii) complex catalyzed enantioselective [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement of alkyl vinyl ethers and synthesis of chromanols and beyond.

A highly efficient enantioselective [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement of racemic vinyl ethers that operates under mild conditions was developed. This method with chiral ferrous complex catalyst provided an efficient access to a wide range of chromanols with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, an important urological drug (R)-tolterodine and others were easily obtained after simple transformations.