ASYMMETRIC DIELS-ALDER CYCLOADDITIONS WITH C2-SYMMETRICAL CHIRAL CARBAMOYLNITROSO DIENOPHILES

The C2-symmetrical chiral pyrrolidines 2 and 3 are of opposite helicity. The corresponding N-acylnitroso dienophiles 6 and 7 react in good yield with cyclohexadiene, leading thereby with excellent diastereoisomeric excess to the expected Diels-Alder cycloadducts (see Scheme). The [2.2.2] bicyclic moieties of the major diastereoisomers 9 and 11 proved to be of opposite configuration, as expected. Their configuration is best explained by assuming the acylnitroso dienophile to be in the s-cis conformation in the transition state, the approach of the diene being endo (see Fig.).