Aza-Diels–Alder reaction catalyzed by novel chiral metalocomplex Brønsted acids

Abstract A series of Co(III) anionic complexes of Schiff bases obtained from salicylaldehydes and enantiomerically pure amino acids has been synthesized. The outersphere counterion was exchanged by H + and the novel chiral Bronsted acids were used to induce asymmetry into an aza-Diels–Alder reaction. The influence of the temperature, solvent polarity, and structural modification of the chiral anions on the enantioselectivity of the process has also been investigated.