Synthesis and diels-alder reactions of (S)-3-chloro and (S)-3-ethyl-2-p-tolylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinones

The synthesis of the title compounds in enantiomerically pure form is described. Their cycloadditions with cyclopentadiene and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene in the presence of ZnBr₂ take place on the unsubstituted dienophilic double bond C₅-C₆ giving access to optically active 4a,5,8,8a-tetrahydronaphthoquinones with a diastereoisomeric excess ranging from 40 to 72%.