Organocatalytic Enantioselective Michael-Acetalization-Henry Reaction Cascade of 2-Hydroxynitrostyrene and 5-Oxohexanal for the Entry to the Hexahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenones with Four Consecutive Stereogenic Centers and an Approach to Aflatoxin Analogues.

A domino reaction with the organocatalytic enantioselective Michael-acetalization-Henry reaction of 2-hydroxynitrostyrene and 5-oxohexanal was developed for the synthesis of hexahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenones with four consecutive stereogenic centers and high enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee). The transformation of a NaBH4-reduced adduct to the aflatoxin system via the Nef-cyclization process was achieved by the assistant of ZnBr2.