Enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions of 3-(acyloxy)acrylates

Diels-Alder reactions with 3-(acyloxy)acrylates using chiral Lewis acid catalysts have been successfully carried out. These reactions proceed with high enantioselectivity when a chiral Lewis acid derived from Cu(OTf)(2) and a bisoxazoline is used. The facility of the reaction is dependent on the nature of the acyloxy group in the dienophile. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.