Activated cyclooctenones are effective dienophiles

The first Diels–Alder addition of a diene to a cyclooctenone dienophile has been observed. Three activated cyclooctenone dienophiles 1, 2, and 3 are studied with a variety of simple and functionalized dienes. Diels–Alder adducts are produced in excellent yields under very mild Lewis acid catalyzed conditions. The usual orientation rules are followed and, as predicted, the products are formed for the most part exclusively by ester-endo addition. The stereoselectivity is influenced by the substitution pattern of the diene in some cases. The factors influencing the stereochemical selectivity of the addition are discussed in some detail. Keywords: 2-carbalkoxy-2-cyclooctenones, Diels–Alder reaction, six–eight fused ring system.