Organocatalyzed Conjugate Umpolung of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes for the Synthesis of γ‐Butyrolactones

Advantage organocatalysis: N-heterocyclic carbenes can generate homoenolate equivalents under mild conditions by conjugate umpolung of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. This organocatalytic reaction allows an efficient one-step synthesis of substituted γ-butyrolactones 1 (see scheme, Mes=mesityl). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z461572_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.