The importance of 1,5‐O⋅⋅⋅chalcogen (Ch) interactions in isochalcogenourea catalysis (Ch=O, S, Se) is investigated. Conformational analyses of N‐acyl isochalcogenouronium species and comparison with kinetic data demonstrate the significance of 1,5‐O⋅⋅⋅Ch interactions in enantioselective catalysis. Importantly, the selenium analogue demonstrates enhanced rate and selectivity profiles across a range of reaction processes including nitronate conjugate addition and formal [4+2] cycloadditions. A gram‐scale synthesis of the most active selenium analogue was developed using a previously unreported seleno‐Hugerschoff reaction, allowing the challenging kinetic resolutions of tertiary alcohols to be performed at 500 ppm catalyst loading. Density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations support the role of orbital delocalization (occurring by intramolecular chalcogen bonding) in determining the conformation, equilibrium population, and reactivity of N‐acylated intermediates.

A stereodivergent asymmetric Lewis base catalyzed Michael addition/lactonization of enone acids into substituted dihydrobenzofuran and tetrahydrofuran derivatives is reported. Commercially available (S)-(−)-tetramisole hydrochloride gives products with high syn diastereoselectivity in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1 d.r.syn/anti, 99 % eesyn), whereas using a cinchona alkaloid derived catalyst gives the corresponding anti-diastereoisomers as the major product (up to 10:90 d.r.syn/anti, 99 % eeanti).

The importance of 1,5‐O⋅⋅⋅chalcogen (Ch) interactions in isochalcogenourea catalysis (Ch=O, S, Se) is investigated. Conformational analyses of N‐acyl isochalcogenouronium species and comparison with kinetic data demonstrate the significance of 1,5‐O⋅⋅⋅Ch interactions in enantioselective catalysis. Importantly, the selenium analogue demonstrates enhanced rate and selectivity profiles across a range of reaction processes including nitronate conjugate addition and formal [4+2] cycloadditions. A gram‐scale synthesis of the most active selenium analogue was developed using a previously unreported seleno‐Hugerschoff reaction, allowing the challenging kinetic resolutions of tertiary alcohols to be performed at 500 ppm catalyst loading. Density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations support the role of orbital delocalization (occurring by intramolecular chalcogen bonding) in determining the conformation, equilibrium population, and reactivity of N‐acylated intermediates.

Exploratory studies of the CpCo-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkynes to the 2,3-double bond of benzo[b]furans (and some benzo[b]thiophenes) are presented, with the general aim to access morphinan substructures. The basic feasibility of constructing Co-complexed tetrahydrophenanthro[4,5-bcd]furans (and -thiophenes) in moderate to good yields is demonstrated, with complete to extensive diastereoselectivity. Limitations are the apparent necessity for bulky (silylated) monoalkynes, the lack of regioselectivity in the cocyclization with unsymmetrical alkynes, and the sensitivity of the ligands, both complexed and uncomplexed, with respect to ring opening and rearrangement.

Enone acids are used as suitable substrates for the preparation of the furan skeleton.