Solvent-free asymmetric vinylogous aldol reaction of Chanʹs diene with aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by hydrogen bonding

Chanʹs diene proved to react with aromatic aldehydes under organocatalytic conditions in presence of a chiral naphthyl-TADDOL derivative to give vinylogous aldols (up to 65% ee) with complete γ-selectivity. A further process of hetero-Diels–Alder cycloaddition, leading to chiral pyran-4-one derivatives (up to 60% ee), was favoured by electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring.