Organometallic enantiomeric scaffolding: general access to 2-substituted oxa- and azabicyclo[3.2.1]octenes via a Brønsted acid catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.

6-Substituted TpMo(CO) 2(eta-2,3,4-pyranyl)- and TpMo(CO) 2(eta-2,3,4-pyridinyl) scaffolds (Tp = hydridotrispyrazolylborato) function as reaction partners in an efficient regio- and stereocontrolled synthesis of functionalized oxa- and azabicyclo[3.2.1]octenes through a novel Brønsted acid catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. Excellent exo-selectivities are obtained, and the reaction gives products with complete retention of enantiomeric purity when carried out with chiral, nonracemic scaffolds. The substituent at C-6 of the eta (3)-coordinated heterocyclic scaffold not only influences [5 + 2] reactivity but also plays a critical role in the demetalation step directing the reaction to only one of two possible products.