Asymmetric Synthesis of Full Substituted Cyclohexa‐1,3‐dienes via Organocatalyzed Cascade Michael‐Cyclization of α, α‐Dicyanoalkenes with Nitroolefins

An efficient organocatalytic cascade vinylogous Michael‐cyclization to construct the challenging full substituted cyclohexa‐1,3‐dienes has been developed. Catalyzed by the cinchona alkaloids‐derived thiourea VIII at −60 °C, the products were obtained as a single diastereomer with two contiguous stereocenters and more than four different useful functional groups in moderate to good yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities.