The First Enantioselective Aza-Diels-Alder Reactions of Imino Dienophiles on Use of a Chiral Zirconium Catalyst

Abstract
Chiral dihydropyridone derivatives 3 are obtained in high yields and with good enantioselectivities by the title reaction of aldimines such as 1 with Danishefsky's diene 2. 6,6′-Dibromo-1,1′-binaphthol complexes with Group 4 metals serve as catalysts; zirconium proved to be especially effective.