Several eta(2)-coordinated anisole complexes were treated with various Michael acceptors in the presence of a Lewis or Bronsted acid to generate stable 4H-anisolium complexes. These reactions were found to proceed with high stereochemical control with predictable outcomes, provided that the moderate acid (NH2Ph2)OTf was used and the complex was dissolved in an acidic solution. The stereochemistry is shown to originate from an unexpectedly high preference for one coordination diastereomer of the anisole complex in the solid state and a Diels-Alder like transition state for the Michael reaction.