Catalytic asymmetric oxo-Diels-Alder reactions with chiral atropisomeric biphenyl diols.

New chiral atropisomeric biphenyl diols , and containing additional peripheral chiral centers with different steric bulkiness and/or electronic properties were synthesized. The X-ray crystal structure of shows the formation of a supramolecular structure whereas that of , containing additional CF substituents, shows the formation of a monomeric structure. Diols - were found to be active organocatalysts in oxo-Diels-Alder reactions in which recorded a 72% ee with trimethylacetaldehyde as a substrate.