Organocatalytic asymmetric robinson annulation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes: applications to the total synthesis of (+)-palitantin.

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic Robinson annulation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes was achieved, catalyzed by l-proline and trialkylamines and providing the formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition adducts. Additionally, in some examples in the catalysis with diarylpyrrolinol silyl ethers, the reactions afforded the [4 + 2] adducts with high enantioselectivity (>99.5% ee).