Catalytic asymmetric aza Diels-Alder reactions of hydrazones using a chiral zirconium catalyst

Catalytic asymmetric aza Diels-Alder reactions of hydrazones with Danishefsky's dienes proceeded in high enantioselectivities in the presence of a chiral zirconium catalyst. Formal synthesis of (S)-coniine was successfully attained using the present reaction.