First example of Diels–Alder reaction in the 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydroquinoline series. Synthesis of hydrogenated 5,8-ethanoquinolines

Diels–Alder reactions in the 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydroquinolines series were studied for the first time. It was shown that these dienes demonstrate only moderate reactivity. [4+2] Cycloaddition occurs stereo- and regioselectively only for alkenes bearing an electron-withdrawing group (acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate, methyl propiolate). In this case, endo-Diels–Alder adducts, spiroannelated 5,8-ethanoquinolines, are formed in a high yield. Cyclopentadiene, being a highly reactive diene component, reacts with 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydroquinolines as the dienophile. Electron-rich unsaturated compounds (N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinylethyl ether, phenylacetylene) are inert to this cycloaddition reaction.