Diels–Alder reactions of carbonyl-containing dienophiles catalyzed by tungstophosphoric acid supported on silica gel

Abstract

Tungstophosphoric acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) supported on silica gel proved to be an active heterogeneous catalyst for Diels–Alder reactions of enones with various dienes. The Diels–Alder adducts were formed in high regio- and/or stereoselectivity. In some cases the Diels–Alder reactions were accompanied by competing polymerization of the starting compounds. We also found that trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid) is an effective homogeneous catalyst for the reaction of unprotected but-3-en-2-one (methyl vinyl ketone) with 1,3-cyclohexadiene, albeit with a lower activity than tungstophosphoric acid.