Evaluating hydrogen bonding control in the diastereoselective Diels–Alder reactions of 9-(2-aminoethyl)-anthracene derivatives

Abstract

Several 9-(2-aminoethyl)anthracene derivatives were prepared with different nitrogen substitutents including alkyl, acetamide, trifluoroacaeamide and t-butyl carbamate. The selectivity in Diels–Alder cyclodaddition reaction with N-methyl maleimide was evaluated through single crystal X-ray analysis of the products. Models for the change in selectivity with hydrogen bond acceptor are proposed, supported by DFT level calculations.