Retro iminonitroso Diels-Alder reactions: interconversion of nitroso cycloadducts

Retro iminonitroso Diels-Alder reactions were investigated in both solution and solid phase. In thermal or Cu(I)-mediated reactions, interconversion of various nitroso cycloadducts occurred in the presence of separate dienes. Up to 99% of conversion was observed. Use of chiral ligands in the Cu(I)-mediated reactions gave new cycloadducts enantioselectively.