The high-pressure (10 kbar) reaction of 2-methylfuran I with alkyl glyoxylates 2, catalyzed by the chiral (Salen)Co(II) complex 4, afforded the Friedel-Crafts products 3 both in good yield (up to 70%) and enantio selectivity (up to 76% ee). (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.