Proline-catalyzed asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions of an o-quinodimethane

Catalytic asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of α-amino-o-quinodimethane with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was achieved with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in the presence of l-proline, which acts as a promoter to generate the quinodimethane from the corresponding precursor as well as a chiral catalyst for the enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction.