Diels-alder reaction of 2(1H)-pyridones acting as dienes.

Diels-Alder reactions between N-phenylmaleimide, acting as the dienophile, and 2(1H)-pyridones having a methoxy or a chloro substituent, were carried out, under atmospheric and high pressure conditions, to give the corresponding isoquinuclidine derivatives. Stereoselectivity of the Diels-Alder reactions was studied using molecular orbital calculations.