“…We have previously developed a number of organocatalytic methodologies based on Michael addition/cyclization cascades of Michael acceptors with ammonium enolates generated from isothiourea‐based catalysts7, 8 and carboxylic acids 9–11. For example, this strategy has been successfully applied to the asymmetric synthesis of dihydropyranones,9g, j dihydropyridones,9i α‐hydrazino esters,9h β‐lactams,9b and more recently, for the synthesis of pyridines9e and pyrones 9c. Of particular relevance is the application of this strategy to the highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthesis of syn ‐2,3‐substituted dihydrobenzofurans through ( S )‐(−)‐tetramisole hydrochloride 5 catalyzed intramolecular Michael addition/lactonization of in situ activated enone acids 4 , followed by nucleophilic ring‐opening (Scheme b) 9j.…”