alpha,beta-Unsaturated hydrazones bearing an ester or a nitrile at C-2 position have been synthesized. They are unreactive towards electron-rich dienophiles but react with electron-poor dienophiles. Dramatic rate enhancements have been observed in concentrated organic solutions of LiNTf(2).
Tamion, R., Mineur, C., & Ghosez, L. (1995). Diels-alder Reactions With 2-substituted-alpha,Beta-unsaturated Hydrazones in Concentrated Organic Solutions of Lintf2. Tetrahedron Letters, 36(49), 8977-8980. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(95)01949-I (Original work published 1995)