An oxidative γ-functionalization of enals under N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis to give unsaturated δ-lactones is disclosed. Enantioselectivity control involving the relatively remote enal γ-carbon was achieved via Lewis acid [Sc(OTf)(3) or combined Sc(OTf)(3)/Mg(OTf)(2)] and NHC cooperative catalysis.

The first N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) mediated activation of stable carboxylate esters to generate enolate intermediates is disclosed. The catalytically generated arylacetic ester enolates undergo enantioselective reactions with α,β-unsaturated imines.

Aryl aldehyde activation: Oxidative activation of 2-methylindole-3-carboxaldehyde (I) through N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis generates heterocyclic ortho-quinodimethane (II) as a key intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes formal [4+2] cycloaddition with trifluoromethyl ketones or isatins to form polycyclic lactones containing a quaternary carbon center.

A direct coupling of unprotected indoles and α-halo ketones via in situ generated oxyallyl cation intermediates is described. The reactions efficiently afford α-indole carbonyl compounds with good to quantitative yields.

Carbene-catalyzed reaction of carboxylic esters has the potential to offer effective synthetic solutions that cannot be readily achieved by using the more conventional aldehyde-type substrates. Here we report the first carbene-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of α,α-disubstituted carboxylic esters with up to 99:1 er and 99% yield. The present study clearly illustrates the unique power of carbene-catalyzed reactions of readily available and easy to handle carboxylic esters.