A highly stereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition of enones with chiral cyclic 2-amidodienes derived from allenamides.

Lewis acid promoted Diels-Alder cycloadditions of a series of de novo chiral cyclic 2-amidodienes are described. These cyclic 2-amidodienes are derived from chiral α-allyl allenamides via a sequence of E-selective 1,3-H shift and 6π-electron pericyclic ring closure. With enones serving as effective dienophiles, these cycloadditions can be highly diastereoselective depending upon the chiral amide substituent, thereby representing a facile entry to optically enriched [2.2.2]bicyclic manifolds.