A chiral scandium-complex-catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand oxa-Diels-Alder reaction of o-quinone methides with fulvenes.

A highly efficient asymmetric inverse-electron-demand oxa-Diels-Alder reaction of o-quinone methides with fulvenes has been realized using a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Sc(iii) complex as the catalyst. The corresponding optically active chromane derivatives were obtained in high yields with excellent dr and ee values (up to 99% yield, >19 : 1 dr and 94% ee).