Organocatalyzed synthesis of 2-amino-8-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles

2-Amino-8-oxo-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles were synthesized for the first time from a tandem Michael addition-cyclization reaction between cyclohexane-1,2-dione and benzylidenemalononitriles. An enantioselective synthesis of these compounds was achieved in moderate ee values (up to 63% ee) by using a cinchona alkaloid-derived thiourea catalyst.