Highly enantioselective nitrone cycloadditions with 2-alkenoyl pyridine N-oxides catalyzed by Cu(II)-BOX complexes.

Enantioselective nitrone cycloadditions with 2-alkenoyl pyridine N-oxides as dipolarophiles have been reported. The reaction is catalyzed by Cu(II)-BOX complexes to give the expected isoxazolidine products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.