Synthesis of optically pure 2,2'-dimercurio-1,1 '-binaphthyl compounds: Catalysis of Diels-Alder reactions of O-ethyl crotonthioate

Optically pure 2,2'-bis(chloromercurio)-1,1'-binaphthyl 2,2'-bis(trifluoroa cetatomercurio)-1,1'-binaphthyl and 2,2'-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonatomercu rio)-1,1 '-binaphthyl compounds have been synthesized. The dimercurio compo unds show catalytic activity in the asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions with O -ethyl crotonthioate.