An enantioselective approach for the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran spirooxindoles via domino oxa-Michael/Michael reaction of γ‑hydroxyenones to isatylidene malononitriles, using a cinchona derived bifunctional squaramide catalyst has been developed. The methodology...

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A simple and efficient approach to enantioenriched α,β-disubstituted γ-butyrolactones has been developed through multifunctional modular organocatalysis in a highly enantioselective (>99% ee) and diastereoselective (>30:1) manner following a one-pot sequential Michael−hemiacetalization−oxidation reaction. The catalytic process has great substrate compatibility, and the products have been transformed to synthetically useful molecules. The methodology has also been applied to the formal synthesis of (+)-Pilocarpine.

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