AlCl3 catalyzed oxa-Diels-Alder reaction of aromatic aldehydes with simple dienes

Abstract A highly regioselective and diastereoselective oxa-Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by AlCl 3 has been developed. This reaction is efficient and characterized by good functional group compatibility, F, Cl, CN, NO 2 , OMe and thiophenyl groups are tolerated. A Lewis acid catalyzed concerted cycloaddition mechanism is proposed based on the results.