Organocatalytic enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of simple phenols with trifluoropyruvate

Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of simple phenols (4a-j) with 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate (3) was accomplished by using chiral cinchona alkaloid catalyst 2h (10 mol %). High yields and enantioselectivities (71-94% ee) of the Friedel-Crafts alkylation products were obtained.