Cleft molecules as organocatalysts in an asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction

The synthesis and application of chiral carbocyclic cleft molecules derived from 2,3:6,7-dibenzobicyclo[3.3.1]nona-2,6-diene-4,8-diene in the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of benzaldehydes and aminodiene 14 is presented. Catalysis by single hydrogen-bond activation gave up to 52% ee. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.