Chiral C2-Symmetric CuII Complexes as Catalysts for Enantioselective Hetero-Diels–Alder Reactions

Air-stable and recyclable , the Cu^II–(bis)oxazoline complex 1 efficiently catalyzes diastereo- and enantioselective hetero-Diels–Alder reactions between β,γ-unsaturated α-keto acid derivatives 2 and vinyl ethers for the synthesis of substituted dihydropyrans 3 [Eq. (1)]. Results of the crystal structure analysis of 1 in combination with calculations on model compounds indicate the formation of a reactive intermediate through replacement of the two H₂O ligands with a chelating substrate. X=OEt, N(OMe)Me; R=alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, thiobenzyl.