intramolecular Mannichreactionusing 2-oxopropyl-2-formylbenzoates and anilines as substrates, catalyzed by a secondary amine, has been developed. The procedure leads to a new class of 4-aminoisochromanones bearing two adjacent stereocentres in good yields (up to 85%) with excellent cis-stereoselectivities (dr up to 99:1) and ee values of 92–99%. A highly stereoselective one-pot intramolecular Mannich reaction