| abstract |
Disclosed herein is enantioselective synthetic method comprising reacting an enolisable C 4 -C 50 organic anhydride with a second compound selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a ketone, an aldimine, a ketimine or a Michael Acceptor in the presence of a bifunctional organocatalyst. The reaction may find particular utility in the enantioselective synthesis of medicinally relevant heterocycles, such as dihydroisocoumarins and dihydroisoquinolinones. |