Synthesis of (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ((+)-(1R,2R,3S,5R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octan-2-ol)

Epoxidation of (?)-(1R,2R,4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl acetate ((?)-5) followed by saponification afforded (+)-(1R,4R,5R,6R)-5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)-7). Reduction of (+)-7 with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) gave (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ( = (+)-(1R,2R,3S,4R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^3,6]octan-2-ol; (+)-3). Hydride reductions of (±)-7 were less exo-face selective than reductions of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one and its derivatives with NaBH₄, AlH₃, and LiAlH₄ probably because of smaller steric hindrance to endo-face hydride attack when C(5) and C(6) of the bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-2-one are part of an exo oxirane ring.     

Synthesis of chiral 2-furyl and 3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives from sugars

Asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions between 2-methylfuran and chiral (E)-1,2-dideoxy-1-nitroalkenes derived from d-mannose and d-galactose were carried out at room temperature, under 13 kbar pressure. The processes were completely regioselective, and only the four adducts with penta-O-acetyl-1′-C-(4-methyl-3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl)pentitols structures were formed in each case. These adducts, as well as those arising from cycloadditions of the same nitroalkenes and furan, have been converted into chiral derivatives, such as 2-furyl substituted 1-nitrosugars, 2-glyco-4-methyl-3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes, and 5,6-exo-epoxy-2-glyco-3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes.     

Highly Stereoselective Total Syntheses of 2,5-Anhydro-4-deoxy-D-ribo-hexonic Acid and of (1S)-1-C-(6-amino-7H-purin-8-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-deoxy-D-erythro-pentitol (= cordycepin C)

Highly regio- and stereoselective monohydroxylation of the C?C bond of (+)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 8 ) was achieved via LiAlH₄ reduction of the corresponding 5,6-exo-epoxy dimethyl acetal 9 . The reaction gave exclusively (–)-(1R, 2R, 4S)-6,6-dimethoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-ol ( 10 ) which was transformed into 2,5-anhydro-3-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-D -ribo-hexonic acid ( 15 ) and 2,5-anhydro-4-deoxy-D -ribo-hexonic acid ( 6 ) via ozonolysis of (–)-(1R, 4S, 6R)-6-exo-benzyloxy-2-{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 14 ). Cordycepin C ( 5 ) was derived from 6 and 4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine using CsF/DMF to generate the adenine heterocycle.     

The Homoconjugated Electron-Releasing Carbonyl Group of 1-Methylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one. Regioselective syntheses of 5-chloro- and 6-chloro-1-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one

Syntheses of (±)-2-exo-cyano-1-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl acetate ( 1 ) and of (±)-1-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 2 ) are reported. The additon of PhSeCl to 1 afforded (±)-5-endo-chloro-2-exo-cyano-1-methyl-6-exo-(phenylselenenyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-endo-yl acetate ( 6 ), whereas 2 added to PhSeCl with the opposite regioselectivity giving (±)-6-endo-chloro-1-methyl-5-exo-(phenylselenenyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 7 ). These adducts were converted into 5-chloro-1-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 9 ) and 6-chloro-1-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 10 ), respectively.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of 2,4,6-Trimethylcyclohex-4-ene-1,3-diol Derivatives and of polypropionate fragments with four contiguous stereogenic centers

The Diels-Alder adduct (±)- 3 of 2,4-dimethylfuran and 1-cyanovinyl acetate was converted stereoselectively into benzyl 6-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1,3-exo,5-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl ( 26 ) and -2-endo-yl ether ( 36 ). Addition of LiAlH₄ to the latter led to the 3-O-benzyl derivatives 28 and 37 of (1RS,2SR,3SR,6SR)- and (1RS,2SR,3RS,6SR)-5-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-4-ene-1,3-diol, respectively. Methylenation of 6-exo-(4-chlorophenylthio)-1-methyl-5-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 16 ), obtained by reaction of (±)- 3 with 4-Cl-C₆H₄SCl and saponification gave, 6-exo-(4-chlorophenylthio)-1-methyl-3,5-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 43 ), the reduction of which with K-Selectride afforded 6-exo-(4-chlorophenylthio)-1,3-endo-dimethyl-5-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-endo-ol ( 44 ). The 3-O-benzyl derivative 48 of (1RS,2RS,3RS,6SR)-5-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)- 2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-4-ene-1,3-diol was derived from 44 via based-induced oxa-ring opening of benzyl 6-endo-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1,3-endo-5-endo-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-endo-yl ether ( 49 ). Benzylation of 28 , followed by reductive desulfonylation and oxidative cleavage of the cyclohexene moiety afforded (2RS,3SR,4RS,5RS)-3,5-bis(benzyloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-6-oxoheptanal ( 32 ).     

The Diels-Alder Reactivity of 2,2′-Ethylidenebis[3,5-dimethylfuran] and Exploratory Chemistry of the Mono-adducts

In the presence of Me₃Al, 1-cyanovinyl acetate added to 2,2′-ethylidenebis[3,5-dimethylfuran] ( 1 ) to give a 20:10:1:1 mixture of mono-adducts 4,5,6 , and 7 resulting from the same regiocontrol (‘para’ orienting effect of the 5-methyl substituent in 1 ). The additions of a second equiv. of dienophile to 4–7 were very slow reactions. The major mono-adducts 4 (solid) and 5 (liquid) have 2-exo-carbonitrile groups. The molecular structure of 4 (1RS,1′RS,2SR,4SR)-2-exo-cyano-4-[1-(3,5-dimethylfuran-2-yl)ethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl acetate) was determined by X-ray single-crystal radiocrystallography. Mono-adducts 4 and 5 were saponified into the corresponding 7-oxanorbornenones 8 and 9 which were converted with high stereoselectivity into (1RS,1′SR,4RS,5RS,6RS)-4-[1-(3,5-dimethyl furan-2-yl)ethyl]-6-exo-methoxy-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]heptan-2-one dimethyl acetal ( 12 ) and its (1′RS-stereoisomer 12a , respectively. Acetal hydrolysis of 12a followed by treatment with (t-Bu)Me₂SiOSO₂CF₃ led to silylation and pinacol rearrangement with the formation of (1RS,1′RS,5RS,6RS)-4-[(tert-butyl)dimethy lsilyloxy]-1-(3,5-dimethylfuran-2-yl)ethyl]-5-methoxy-6-methyl-3-methylidene- 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 16 ). In the presence of Me₃Al, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate added to 12 giving a major adduct 19 which was hydroborated and oxidized into (1RS,1′RS,2″RS,3″RS,4SR,4″RS,5 SR,6SR)-dimethyl 5-exo-hydroxy-4,6-endo-dimethyl-1-[1-(3-exo,5,5-trimeth oxy-2-endo,4-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl)ethyl]-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene-2,3-dicarboxylate ( 20 ). Acetylation of alcohol 20 followed by C?C bond cleavage afforded (1′RS,1″SR,2RS,2′″SR,3RS, 3″SR,4RS,4″SR,5RS)-dimethyl {3-acetoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-dimethyl-5-[1-(3-exo,5,5-trimethoxy ?2-endo,4-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-1-yl)-ethyl]furan-2,5-diyl} bis[glyoxylate] ( 24 ).     

Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangement of 3-Aza-8-oxatricyclo[3.2.1. 02,4]octan-6-one Acetals. Highly Stereoselective Total Synthesis of 3-Amino-3-deoxy-D-altrose and Derivatives

Ethyl and tert-butyl azidoformate added to 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one dimethyl ( 5 ) and dibenzyl ( 6 ) acetals to give mixtures of regioisomeric triazolines. The latter gave the corresponding aziridines (6,6-dialkoxy-3-aza-8-oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octane-3-carboxylates 15 , 19 , 23 , and 27 and 31 ) on UV irradiation. In the presence of protic acids, the aziridines were rearranged into protected amines ([3-endo-alkoxy-5-oxo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-exo-yl]carbamates 16 , 20 , 24 , and 28 and 33 ). Using (+)-(1R, 4R)-5,5-bis(benzyloxy)7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene((+)- 6 ) derived from furan and l-cyanovinyl (1S)-camphanate, the method was applied to prepare 2-O-benzyl-3-[(tert-butoxy)carbonyiamino]-5-O-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-3-deoxy-β-D -altrofuranurono-6,1-lactone ((?)- 37 ). This compound was converted to methyl 3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-altropyranoside hydrochloride ( 44 ) and several derivatives.     

Chemo- and Stereoselective Coordination of 5,6-Dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene by d8- and d6-Metal Carbonyls. Diels-Alder reactivity of Dienes Perturbed by Remote Olefin Complexation

The endocyclic double bond C(2), C(3) in 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene ( 1 ) can he coordinated selectively on its exo-face before complexation of the exocyclic s-cis-butadiene moiety. Irradiation of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or Os₃(CO)₁₂ in the presence of 1 gave tetracarbonyl [(1R,2R, 3S,4S)-2,3-η-(5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene)]ruthenium ( 6 ) or -osmium ( 8 ). Similarly, irradiation of Cr(CO)₆ or W(CO)₆ in the presence of 1 gave pentacarbonyl[(1R, 2R, 3S,4S)-2,3-η-(5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene)]chromium (10) or -tungsten (11) . Irradiation of complexes 6 and 11 in the presence of 1 led to further CO substitution giving bed-tricarbonyl-ae-bis[(1R,2R,3S,4S)-2,3-η-(5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene)]ruthenium ( 7 ) and trans-tetracarbonyl[(1R,2R,3S,4S)-2,3-η-(5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-2-ene)]tungsten (12) , respectively. The diosmacyclobutane derivative cis-m?-[(1R,3R,3S,4S)-(5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,3-diyl)]bis(tetracarbonyl-osmium) (Os-Os) (9) wa also obtained. The Diels-Alder reactivity of the exocyclic s-cis-butadiene moiety in complexs 7 and 8 was found to be significantly higher than that of the free triene 1 .     

Norbornanes. Part 21. Bridging strain in norbornyl and oxanorbornyl cations

Further evidence is presented that the 2-norbornyl cation is stabilized primarily by C(2)–C(6) bridging, and that C(2)–C(7) bridging leads to prohibitive strain. Thus, a comparison of the heats of hydrogenation of nortricyclene 17 and bicyclo[3. 2. 0. 0.^2,7]heptane 18 indicates that the strain energy of the latter is ca. 21.5 kcal/mol higher that that of 17 . Furthermore, 6-exo-2-oxabicyclo[2. 2. 1]heptyl sulfonates 8 ionize with strong O(2) participation to the bridged oxonium ion 12. In contrast, 2-endo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl sulfonates 11 ionize without O(7) participation to form the unbridged carbenium ion 15 .     

Sterical Hindrances as a Driving Force of Skeleton Rearrangements of Fenchone and Its Oxime in Ritter Reaction

Fenchone (1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one) in reaction with acetonitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid (Ritter reaction) due to steric hindrances preventing geminal addition of two nucleophile molecules gives rise to a mixture of 1,2-exo-diacetamido-6-endo,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 2-endo6-exo-diacetamido-3,3,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, and 2-exo,6-exo-diacetamido-1,3,3-tri- methylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane in the ratio of 6:4:1. Fenchone oxime under condition of this reaction affords a mixture of stereoisomeric cis- and trans-acetamido-1-methyl-3-(-cyanoisopropyl)cyclopentanes in 2:3 ratio.     

Face Selectivity of the Diels-Alder Additions of Sulfur-Substituted Dienes and Tetraenes Grafted onto 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-methylidene-3-[(Z)-(2-nitrophenylsulfenyl)methylidene]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptane ( 16 ), 1,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5,8-dimethoxy-2-methylidene-3-[(Z)-(2-nitrophenylsulfenyl)methylidene]anthracene ( 18 ), and 1,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5,8-dimethyoxy-2-methylidene-3-[(Z)-(phenylsulfenyl)-methylidene]anthracene ( 19 ) are presented. The Diels-Alder additions of these S-substituted dienes and those of 2,5-dimethylidene-3,6-bis{[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)sulfenyl]methylidene}-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 17 ) have been found to be face selective and ‘ortho’ regiospecific. The face selectivity depends on the nature of the dienophile. It is exo-face selective with bulky dienophiles such as ethylene-tetracarbonitrile (TCNE) and 2-nitro-1-butene and endo-face selective with methyl vinyl ketone, methyl acrylate, and 3-butyn-2-one. In the presence of a Lewis acid, the face selectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction can be reversed. The addition of the first equivalent of a dienophile to tetraene 17 is at least 100 times faster than the addition of the second equivalent of the same dienophile to the corresponding mono-adduct. The X-ray structure of the crystalline bis-adduct 43 , a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene system annellated to two cyclohexene rings, resulting from the successive additions of methyl acrylate and methyl vinyl ketone to tetraene 17 is presented. Only one of the two endocyclic double bonds of the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene deviates from planarity, the substituents bending towards the endo face by 5.7°.     

Cyclodimerization of 1-(Dimethoxyniethyl)-5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene Induced by Nonacarbonyldiiron. Crystal Structure of (1RS, 2SR, 3RS, 4RS, 4aRS, 9aSR)- Tricarbonyl[C, 2,3, C-η-(1,4-epoxy-1,5-bis(dimethoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4,4a,9,9a,10-octahydroanthracene)]iron

The transition-metal-carbonyl-induced cyclodimerization of 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene is strongly affected by substitution at C(1) While 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept–2-ene-l-methanol ( 7 ) refused to undergo [4 + 2]-cyclodimerization in the presence of [Fe₂(CO)⁹] in MeOH, 1-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-di-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 8 ) led to the formation of a 1.7:1 mixture of ‘trans’ ( 19, 21, 22 ) vs. ‘cis’ ( 20, 23, 24 ) products of cyclodimerization together with tricarbonyl[C, 5,6, C-η-(l-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-di-methylidenecyclohexa-1,3-diene)]iron ( 25 ) and tricarbonyl[C,3,4, C-η-(methyl 5-(dimethoxymethyl)-3,4-di-methylidenecyclohexa-1,5-diene-l-carboxylate)]iron ( 26 ). The structures of products 19 and of its exo ( 21 ) and endo ( 22 ) [Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene)]complexes) and 20 (and of its exo ( 23 ) and endo (24) (Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene)complexes) were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies of crystalline (1RS, 2SR, 3RS, 4RS, 4aRS, 9aSR)-tricarbonyl[C, 2,3, C-η-(1,4-epoxy-1,5-bis(dimethoxymethyl])-2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4,4a,9,9a,10-octahydroanthracene)iron ( 21 ). In the latter, the Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene) moiety deviates significantly from the usual local C_s symmetry. Complex 21 corresponds to a ‘frozen equilibrium’ of rotamers with η-alkyl, η³-allyl bonding mode due to the acetal unit at the bridgehead centre C(1).     

Direct ionic chlorination of alkyl sulfones with sulfuryl chloride

The introduction of a Cl atom usually takes place at a position a to the α atom of alkyl sulfones. In this paper, a new ionic chlorination method of alkyl sulfones with sulfuryl chloride in which the most noteworthy observation was exclusive or highly selective β-chlorination of diethyl sulfone or sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide) is described. The most successful synthetic application of this method was exemplified by the chlorination of 7-thiabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-7,7-dioxide, which affords 2-exo- and 2-endo-chloro-7-thiabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-7,7-dioxides, which were difficult to obtain by the radical chlorination, probably because of the undesired homolytic SO₂C bond fission. 2-exo-Chloro-7-thiabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-7,7-dioxide, thus obtained, was selectively reduced to give 2-exo-chloro-7-thiabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. A mechanism for this chlorination is also discussed.     

Synthesis of Polypropionate Fragments Containing Tertiary-Alcohol Moieties. Cross-aldolisations with lithium enolates of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one derivatives

The Diels-Alder adduct of 2,4-dimethylfuran to 1-cyanovinyl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)-(1R,2S,4R)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)- 1 )) was converted into (+)-2,7-dideoxy-2,4-di-C-methyl-L -glycero- ((+)- 6 ) and -D -glycero-L -altro-heptono-1,4-lactone ((+)- 7 ), into (?)-(3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4:5,7-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-4,6-dimethylheptan-2-one ((?)- 22 ), and into (+)-(2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-3,4:5,6-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-2,4-dimethylheptanal ((+)- 34 ). Condensation of ((+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (?)-(1R,4R,5S,6R)-6-exo-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2-one ((?)- 38 ; derived from (+)- 1 ) gave a 3:2 mixture of aldols (+)- 39 and (+)- 40 (mismatched pairs of a α-methyl-substituted aldehyde and (E)-enolate) whereas the reaction of (±)- 34 with (±)- 38 gave a 10:1 mixture of aldols (±)- 41 and (±)- 39 . A single aldol, (?)- 44 , was obtained to condensing (+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (+)-(1S,4S,5S,6S)-5-exo-(benzyloxy)-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- 43 ; derived from (?)-(1S,2R,4S)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′S)-camphanate ((?)- 3 )). All these cross-aldolisations are highly exo-face selective for the bicyclic ketones. The best stereochemical matching is obtained when the lithium enolates and α-methyl-substituted aldehydes can realize a ‘chelated transition state’ that obeys the Cram and Felkin-Anh models (steric effects). Polypropionate fragments containing eleven contiguous stereogenic centres and tertiary-alcohol moieties are thus prepared with high stereoselectivity in a convergent fashion. The chiral auxiliaries ((1R)- and (1S)-camphanic acid) are recovered at the beginning of the syntheses.     

Synthesis and Ritter Reaction of 3-exo-Hydroxymethyl-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

3-exo-Hydroxymethyl-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one was prepared by treatment of isocamphanone with Paraform in the presence of alkali in DMF. The product reacts with acetonitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid (Ritter reaction) to form a mixture of 2-(acetylamino)-3-(acetylaminomethyl)-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and 2,2-bis(acetylamino)-3-(acetylaminomethyl)-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane in a 1:1 ratio. Attempted hydroxymethylation of isocamphanone in DMSO gave bis(isocamphanon-3-endo-yl)methane.     

Ironcarbonyl Complexes of 5,6-Dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene Derivatives. Synthesis of Substituted Tricarbonyl(ortho-quinodimethane)iron Complexes and 2-Indanones

The l-dimethoxymethyl-5,6-dimethyldene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 9 ) has been prepared. On treatment with Fe₂(CO)₉, the endocyclic double bond C(2)?C(3) was coordinated first giving the corresponding exo-Fe(CO)₄ complex 10 . The latter reacted with Fe₂(CO)₉ and afforded cis-heptacarbonyl-μ-[1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS,6SR-2,3-η: C5,6,C-η-(1-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene)]diiron ( 11 ) as a major product. On heating, 11 underwent deoxygenation of the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene moiety yielding tricarbonyl[C,5,6,C-η-(1-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-dimethylidenecyclohexa-1,3-diene)]iron ( 13 ). In MeOH, a concurrent, regioselective methoxycarbonylation was observed giving tricarbonyl[C,3,4,C-η-(methyl 5-(dimethoxymethyl)-3,4-dimethylidenecyclohexa-1,5-diene-1-carboxylate)]iron ( 14 ). Oxidative removal of the Fe(CO)₃ moiety in 13 and 14 did not afford the expected ortho-quinodimethane derivatives but led to CO insertions giving 2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1Hindene-4-carbaldehyde ( 20 ) and methyl 7-formyl-2-3-dihydro-2-oxo-lH-indene-5-carboxylate ( 21 ), respectively.     

Preparation of 1,2exo- and 1,2endo-Diiodo-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane

1,2 exo-Diiodo-norbornane ( 4 ) was prepared from norcamphor hydrazone by oxidative iodination and subsequent rearrangement of the 2,2-diiodo-bicyclo [2.2.1]heptane ( 2 ). The stable α-iodohydrazone 11 was obtained from 1-iodo-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 10 ), which itself was prepared from 1-iodo-norbornene ( 5 ). Subsequent treatment of 11 with iodine lead to 1,2,2-triiodo-norbornane ( 12 ) and l,2-diiodo-norborn-2-ene ( 13 ). 1,2 endo-Diiodo-norbornane ( 14 ) was obtained by stereoselective reduction of 12 with tribtityltinhydride or by reaction of 13 with diimide.     

Construction of bicyclic systems containing an oxygen bridge by isomerization of cyclic epoxy alcohols

A novel method for constructing a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton was developed. The substrates, namely cis-3,4-epoxy-1-cyclohexanol derivatives, were prepared from the corresponding 3-cyclohexen-1-ol derivatives via a stereoselective epoxidation reaction using a vanadium catalyst. Upon heating with lithium iodide in propionitrile, the cis-epoxy alcohol was transformed into the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivative in high yield. The reaction proceeds through formation of a lithium alkoxide bearing an iodohydrin moiety, followed by an intramolecular S_N2 reaction.     

Radical deoxygenation of 3-azatricyclo[2.2.1.0]heptan-5-ols to 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes and 1,2-dihydropyridines

Additions of alkyl or aryl Grignard reagents, or pyridin-3-yl-lithiums or lithium alkoxides, to exo-5,6-epoxy-7-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-tosyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene lead to 7-substituted-1-tosyl-3-azatricyclo[2.2.1.0^2,6]heptan-5-ols. Radical deoxygenations of 7-alkyl-1-tosyl-3-azatricyclo[2.2.1.0^2,6]heptan-5-ols give 7-alkyl-4-tosyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes, whereas 7-aryl-1-tosyl-3-azatricyclo[2.2.1.0^2,6]heptan-5-ols give 2-(arylmethyl)-5-tosyl-1,2-dihydropyridines.     

Face Selectivity of the Diels-Alder Additions of Exocyclic Dienes Grafted onto 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes

Stereoselective syntheses of 2exo, 3exo-bis (chloromethyl)-5-[(Z)-chloromethylidene]- ( 9 ), 2exo, 3exo-bis (chloromethyl)5-[(E)-chloromethylidene]- ( 10 ) and 2exo, 3exo-bis(chloromethyl)-5-[(E)-methoxymethylidene]-6-niethylidene-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 13 ) are presented. Double elimination of HCI from 9, 10 and 13 yielded 2-[(Z)-chloromethylidene]- ( 14 ), 2-[(E)chloromethylidene]- ( 15 ) and 2-[(E)-methoxymethylidene]-3,5,6-mmethylidene-7-oxabicycio[2.2.1]heptane ( 18 ), respectively, without loss of the olefin configuration. Ethylene tetracarbonitrile (TCE) and N-phenyltriazolinedione (NPTAD) added to these new exocyclic dienes and tetraenes preferentially onto their exo-face. The same face selectivity was observed for the cycloadditions of TCE to the (Z)- and (E)-chlorodienes 9 and 10 , thus realizing a case where the kinetic stereoselectivity of the additions is proven not to be governed by the stability of the adducts. The exo-face selectivity of the Diels-Alder additions of dienes grafted onto 7-oxabicyclo [2,2.1]heptanes contrasts with the endo-face selectivity reported for a large number of cycloadditions of dienes grafted onto bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeletons.