Two trivalent samarium iodo binaphthoxide complexes have been investigated
as catalysts for enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions. Enantiomeric exces
ses were improved using 3,3'-bis-orthoanisyl binaphthol as ligand compared
to binaphthol, with values up to 81% for the major endo-isomer. Performing
reactions at different temperatures gave a reversal in the prevailing produ
ct configuration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.