Asymmetric synthesis of dihydropyranones from ynones by sequential copper(I)-catalyzed direct aldol and silver(I)-catalyzed oxy-Michael reactions

Ynones as diene surrogates: the asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically enriched substituted dihydropyranones is described. The products are obtained in two steps by a copper(I)-catalyzed direct aldol reaction of ynones followed by a silver-catalyzed oxy-Michael reaction. This easy method is compatible with both aromatic and aliphatic substrates, and provides excellent chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions.