Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2 + 2] Cycloadditions between Norbornene and Propargylic Alcohols or Their Derivatives

Diastereoselective ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions of norbornene and propargylic alcohols or their derivatives were investigated. The cycloadditions were found to be highly stereoselective, giving exo cycloadducts in moderate to excellent yields with diastereoselectivities up to 92:8. When a chiral propargylic alcohol was used in the cycloaddition, up to 80% ee of the [2 + 2] cycloadducts was observed after oxidation of the alcohol.