Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of β‐Aryl‐β‐isocyano Esters

The asymmetric addition of malonates to in situ generated N ‐formylimines of aromatic aldehydes was achieved under phase‐transfer catalysis using Cinchona alkaloids‐derived quaternary ammonium salts. The resulting β‐formamidomalonates have been efficiently converted into β‐aryl‐β‐isocyano esters. Their utility in the multicomponent Ugi reaction with chiral cyclic imines has been demonstrated.