The presence of molecular sieves 4 Angstrom (MS 4 Angstrom) significantly influenced enantioselectivity in the Diels-Alder reaction of 2-methoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone with 1-acetoxy-1,3-butadiene promoted by chiral TADDOL-Ti complexes. In the absence of MS 4 Angstrom the (R)-adduct was formed in 72% ee, and in the presence of MS 4 Angstrom the (S)-enantiomer in up to 53% ee. Capture of HCl by MS 4 Angstrom has been demonstrated to play a critical role. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.