Organocatalytic enantioselective formal arylation of azlactones using quinones as the aromatic partner.

A new method for the catalytic enantioselective formal arylation of azlactones using quinones as the aromatic partner was developed for the first time. Under mild conditions, the domino Michael/aromatization/cyclization reaction worked well to afford the corresponding products in moderate to high yields with excellent enantioselectivities, some of which have promising cytotoxicity against cancer cells and antibacterial activities.