A catalyticenantioselectivesynthesis of dihydrofurans has been developed. 1,3-Dicarbonyl derivatives react with (E)-β,β-bromonitrostyrenes in the presence of a chiral bifunctional thiourea catalyst providing mild and efficient access to diverse polysubstituted dihydrofurans in good yields and enantioselectivities.
An asymmetric formal one‐pot reaction of 1,3‐dicarbonyl derivatives with non‐bromo‐substituted nitroolefins has been developed by merging a chiral bifunctional organocatalyst with molecular iodine.