Dual function catalysts. Dehydrogenation and asymmetric intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition of N-hydroxy formate esters and hydroxamic acids: evidence for a ruthenium-acylnitroso intermediate.

The chiral ruthenium salen complex, 13b, functions as an efficient catalyst for the sequential oxidation and asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloaddition of hydroxamic acids and N-hydroxy formate esters. This result provides evidence for the formation of a ruthenium-nitroso formate (acyl nitroso) intermediate. The Diels-Alder precursors are prepared from simple building blocks, and the cycloadducts, bridged oxazinolactams, can serve as useful intermediates in organic synthesis.