Chiral bis(oxazoline)-copper complex catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction in ionic liquids: remarkable reactivity and selectivity enhancement, and efficient recycling of the catalyst

Ionic liquid was found to be an excellent medium for asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by chiral bis(oxazoline)-copper complex. The reactivity and selectivity of reactions were highly dependent upon the property of the ionic liquids. Reactions of β-substituted acryloyl dienophiles in Bmim]SbF₆ at ambient temperature provided remarkably enhanced reactivity and stereoselectivity compared to homogeneous reactions in non-ionic liquid solvent at −78 °C. Due to the increased reactivity, the amount of metal catalyst could be reduced down to 0.6 mol % without any significant selectivity compromise. Additionally, recycling of the ligand-metal complex was achieved efficiently up to 18 times.