Asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions in ionic liquids

Recent interest in ionic liquids has developed various uses for them, including some applications by synthetic chemists. Ionic liquids have joined the potential list of non-traditional solvents for Diels-Alder reactions. We report here our own efforts to examine the rates and selectivities of carbon Diels-Alder reactions. Our investigations show that excellent diastereoselective and enantioselective carbon Diels-Alder reactions can be achieved in imidazolium ionic solvents at room temperature.