trisubstituted, and α, α, β, γ‐tetrasubstituted γ‐butyrolactones bearing a broad variety of
functionalities was developed. Starting from widely accessible benzylidene Meldrum's acid
derivatives and α‐bromo carbonyl compounds, γ‐butyrolactones were obtained in yields
between 32–99% with up to excellent diastereoselectivities (> 95: 5) via a DABCO‐mediated
[2+ 1] annulation. Utilization of enantiomerically pure cinchona alkaloid derivatives enables …