Creating quaternary centers with high exo stereoselectivity using activated alpha-alkynyl dienophiles

Abstract

Ethynyl substituents were used to direct a highly exoselective creation of quaternary carbon centers in Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions involving activated alpha-alkynyl dienophiles. The origins of electronic activation and the high stereoselectivities of these reactions were investigated by the B3LYP density functional method.