1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) was utilized as versatile catalyst in a one-pot synthesis: First, for the preparation of alcoholic formaldehyde solutions from para-formaldehyde catalysed by using low loadings of inexpensive DABCO. Second, for the fast α-hydroxymethylation of alkylic and aromatic vinyl ketones in high yields. In a third step, the same catalyst can be used for an optional, temperature controlled in situ etherification of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman product with various alcohols on a multi-gram scale in moderate to good overall yields and high purities. Furthermore, an application of the ether in the enantioselective synthesis of a common building block for total synthesis is shown, thus providing a gram-scale access from inexpensive bulk chemicals.

1,4-二氮杂双环[2.2.2]辛烷（DABCO）在单罐合成中用作通用催化剂：首先，通过使用低负荷的廉价DABCO催化从对甲醛中制备醇甲醛溶液。第二，用于烷基和芳族乙烯基酮的快速α-羟甲基化，产率高。第三步，相同的催化剂可用于Morita-Baylis-Hillman的可选的，可控温度的原位醚化产品具有多种克级数的醇，具有中等至良好的总收率和高纯度。此外，显示了醚在用于全合成的通用结构单元的对映选择性合成中的应用，从而提供了从廉价的散装化学品中获得克级的访问量。