The regioselectivity of the nitroso-Diels-Alder reaction between unsymmetrical acyclic dienes and Boc-nitroso (Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl) reagent or the Wightman chiral chloronitroso reagents has been studied. With the Boc-nitroso reagent, the selectivity is a consequence of steric effects at the C1-position in the diene and electronic effects at the C2-position in the diene. The combination of an unprotected hydroxyethyl side chain at C1 and an electron-withdrawing group at C2 allows complete regioselectivity in favour of the proximal isomer. The same isomer was obtained exclusively with the chiral nitroso reagent with high enantioselectivities. A model based on steric effects is proposed.

The development of an intramolecular rhodium(I)-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction of alkoxyallene-ynes with a proximal alkoxy group is reported. This reaction, in the presence of a [Rh(cycloocta-1,5-diene)Cl]2/propane-1,3-diylbis(diphenylphosphane) system under a CO atmosphere, constitutes a powerful tool for selectively accessing carbo- and heterobicyclo[5.3.0] frameworks featuring an enol ether moiety. Through this procedure, a straightforward access to guaiane skeletons with a tertiary hydroxy group at the C10 position was achieved.