Organocatalytic Enantioselective Nucleophilic Substitution of Furfurals with Alcohols via a Remote Chiral Control.

We describe herein the direct organocatalytic asymmetric nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-benzylfurfurals with benzyl alcohols and allylic alcohol in the absence of any metal catalysts and ligands. A series of γ-regioselective products were obtained in high yields and up to 99% enantiomeric excess.