The TiCl4 or SnCl4 mediated Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene an
d chiral acryloyl ester derived from chiral cyclitols proceeded with e
xcellent diastereoselectivity in Et(2)O via re-face attack of the acry
lates. In contrast, interesting changeover of the diastereofacial sele
ctivity was observed by use of toluene or hexane as a solvent to affor
d the cycloadducts derived from si-face attack of the acrylates.