Table 1. Identifying of a Suitable Lewis Acid.

| entry | LA | solvent | temp (°C) | time (h) | yielda (%) | dr ratiob |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EtAlCl2 | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 14 | N.D.c |
| 2 | AlCl3 | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 38 | 60:(20:20) |
| 3 | BF3–OEt2 | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 33 | N.D. |
| 4 | TMSOTf | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 48 | 34:(33:33) |
| 5 | SnCl4 | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 60 | 68:(16:16) |
| 6 | TiCl4 | CH2Cl2 | –78 | 12 | 52 | 68:(16:16) |
| 7 | MgBr2 | THF | rt | 14 | no rxnd | |
| 8 | Zn(OTf)2 | CH2Cl2 | rt | 18 | no rxn | |
| 9 | Yb(OTf)3 | CH2Cl2 | rt | 15 | no rxn | |
| 10 | La(OTf)3 | CH2Cl2 | rt | 15 | no rxn |
Isolated yields; in all cases, 1.0 equiv of Lewis acid was used.
Ratios denote endo:exo with exo-I:exo-II ratios shown in parentheses. All ratios determined using 1H and/or 13C NMR.
N.D. = not determined.
Complete recovery of the starting diene 1.