“…Moreover, natural 2-pyrones exhibit a huge array of biological activities with enormous therapeutic significance, such as telomerase inhibitory, HIV protease inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-influenza, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and cardiotonic effects . In addition, they serve as important synthons for constructing complex molecules. , Considering the significant biological importance and synthetic potential of α-pyrones, development of efficient methods for such an ambitious framework has attracted much attention. , Synthetic strategies leading to 2-pyrones with metal catalyzed reactions include ring expansion, annulations, − cycloadditions, , C–H activations, , and coupling reactions. − Traditional approaches − on the organocatalytic pathways majorly rely on reactions of α-halocarbonyls through ammonium/sulfur ylides − and NHC. − Among representative recent findings, Tiwari and Chen groups independently disclosed carbene-catalyzed reaction of α-haloaldehydes (Scheme a–b). − Very recently, Jin and Zhang developed a base promoted cascade reactions of dithiomalonate/α-halothioester with β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters (Scheme c) . Annulation reactions of cyclopropenones with either α-haloketones or activated sulfur ylides have been reported by several groups (Scheme d). , …”