Catalytic Asymmetric Intramolecular Michael Reaction of Aldehydes

Efficient organocatalysis of the intramolecular Michael reaction of formyl enones, such as 1, by an imidazolidinone catalyst leads to the corresponding ketoaldehydes in excellent yields and with high enantioselectivities (see scheme). This reaction can be included as part of a tandem process, as the ketoaldehyde products undergo aldolization readily to give hydrindenones, such as 2. Bn=benzyl, Ms=methanesulfonyl.