Kossler, DavidCramer, Nicolai2015-12-022015-12-022015-12-02201510.1021/jacs.5b08232https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/121111WOS:000362628300015The cydopentadienyl (Cp) group is a ligand of great importance for many transition-metal complexes used in catalysis. Cationic CpRuII complexes with three free coordination sites are highly versatile catalysts for many atom-economic transformations. We report the synthesis of a family of (CpRuII)-Ru-x complexes with chiral Cp ligands keeping the maximum number of available coordination sites. The cationic members are efficient and selective catalysts for yne-enone cyclizations via formal hetero-Diels-Alder reactions. The transformation proceeds in <1 h at -20 degrees C and provides pyrans in up to 99:1 er. Unsaturated ester or Weinrebamide substrates directly yield the iridoid skeleton.text::journal::journal article::research article