Asymmetric Synthesis of Fluorinated Flavanone Derivatives by an Organocatalytic Tandem Intramolecular Oxa‐Michael Addition/Electrophilic Fluorination Reaction by Using Bifunctional Cinchona Alkaloids

A bifunctional quinidine derivative, containing a trifluoromethyl group, was found to catalyze a tandem intramolecular oxa-Michael addition/electrophilic fluorination reaction of activated α,β-unsaturated ketones (see scheme). A series of chiral fluorinated flavanone derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and with high enantioselectivities.