Catalytic Asymmetric Addition of Meldrum’s Acid, Malononitrile, and 1,3‐Dicarbonyls to ortho‐Quinone Methides Generated In Situ Under Basic Conditions

A new approach to the utilization of highly reactive and unstable ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) in catalytic asymmetric settings is presented. The enantioselective reactions are catalysed by bifunctional organocatalysts, and the o-QM intermediates are formed in situ from 2-sulfonylalkyl phenols through base-promoted elimination of sulfinic acid. The use of mild Brønsted basic conditions for transiently generating o-QMs in catalytic asymmetric processes is unprecedented, and allows engaging productively in the reactions nucleophiles such as Meldrum's acid, malononitrile and 1,3-dicarbonyls. The catalytic transformations give new and general entries to 3,4-dihydrocoumarins, 4H-chromenes and xanthenones. These frameworks are recurring structures in natural product and medicinal chemistry, as testified by the formal syntheses of (R)-tolterodine and (S)-4-methoxydalbergione from the catalytic adducts.