Electroorganocatalytic asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition of hydroquinones with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes†

Abstract

The concept of combining asymmetric aminocatalysis with electrochemistry remains underexplored. Herein, we report an electrochemically driven Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction of substituted hydroquinones with a series of enals activated by a TMS-protected prolinol catalyst, leading to optically active products with high yields and perfect enantiomeric ratios up to 99 : 1 e.r.