A well-defined aluminum-based lewis acid as an effective catalyst for Diels-Alder transformations

Abstract

A catalytically active aluminum-based system for Diels–Alder transformations is reported. The system was generated by mixing a β-diketiminate-stabilized aluminum bistriflate compound with Na[BArCl4] (ArCl=3,5-Cl2C6H3). Solid-state analysis of the catalytic system reveals a unique structure incorporating a two-dimensional coordination polymer. According to the experimental results obtained from several Diels–Alder transformations, the aluminum-based system appears to be a more practical and more robust alternative to the recently reported compounds based on carbon and silicon cations.