Catalytic asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 1-((2-aryl)vinyl)naphthalen-2-ols with in situ generated ortho-quinone methides for the synthesis of polysubstituted chromanes

An efficient asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 1-((2-aryl)vinyl)naphthalen-2-ols and in situ generated ortho-quinone methides with chiral phosphoric acid as the catalyst was developed. This reaction enables the highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral polysubstituted chromanes bearing multiple contiguous stereogenic centers in excellent yields and stereoselectivities (up to 99% yield, >95 : 5 dr and >99% ee).