The use of zeolites as catalysts in Diels—Alder reactions of isoprene, 2, has been studied. The regioselectivity in zeolite-catalyzed reactions was compared with the regioselectivity of the same reaction using Lewis acid catalysts. The reaction was studied with seven dienophiles: but-3—en—2-one (la), 3-bromobut-3-en-2-one (1b), methyl propenoate (1c), cyclohex-Z-enone (1d), phenylethene (le), ethyl propynoate (If) and propenenitrile (1g). ...
