Lewis Acid Template-Catalyzed Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction

Abstract

An asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of 2,4-dienols and methyl acrylate utilizing a chiral Zn(II)/Mg(II) bimetallic template with low catalyst loading was successfully achieved. The bimetallic Lewis acid template derived from (R)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol catalyzed the Diels-Alder reaction in the presence of molecular sieves 4 Å to afford various functionalized bicyclic γ-lactones with high enantiomeric purities.