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.     

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 ).     

Chiral exo-Alkylidenecyclopentanes from (1S,4R)-7,7-Dimethyl-1-vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

(1S,4R)-7,7-Dimethyl-1-vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one oxime in the system (CF₃CO)₂O-CF₃COOH and (1S,4R)-1-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one in the system MeONa-MeOH undergo fragmentation to give exo-alkylidenecyclopentane derivatives, (4R)-4-cyanomethyl-5,5-dimethyl-1-[(1E)-trifluoroacetoxyethylidene]cyclopentane and isomeric (4R)-4-carboxymethyl-1-[(1ZE)-2-methoxyethylidene]-5,5-dimethylcyclopentanes, respectively. The trifluoroacetate derivative undergoes unusual rearrangement, yielding an equilibrium mixture of two isomers with endo- and exocyclic double bond.     

Enantiomerically pure 7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-zyl derivatives as synthetic intermediates. Part III. Total synthesis of D- and L-ribose derivatives

Enantiomerically pure methyl 5-bromo-5-deoxy-2,3-O- isopropylidene-β-D - (D - 5b ) and -β-l-ribofuranoside (l- 5b ) have been derived from (?)-(1R,2S,4R)-2-exo-cyano-7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-endo,-yl (1′S)-camphanate ( 1 ) and (+)-(1S,2R,4S)-2-exo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl(1′R)-camphanate ( 2 ), respectively, in 5 synthetic steps and 28% overall yield. Hydrolysis of D-5b and L - 5b afforded methyl 2,3-O isopropylidene-β-D -ribofuranoside (D -5a) and methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene β-L-ribofuranoside (L-5a), respectively. The intermediate (+)-(1R,4R,5R,6R) 5-exo,6-exo-(isopropylidenedioxy)- 7 -oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- 7 ) and its enantiomer(–)-7 were also obtained enantiomerically pure by resolution of (=)- 7 by the Johnson-Zeller method. In bothe approaches, the chiral auxiliaries ((–)- and (+)-camphanic acids, or (+)-(S)-N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximide) were recovered at an early stage of the synthesis.     

Total Synthesis of L-Allose,L-Talose,and derivatives.

(1S, 4R, 5S, 6S)-5-exo, 6-exo-(Isopropylidenedioxy)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((?)- 1 ) was transformed with high stereoselectivity to L -allose. Similarly, enantiomer (+)- 1 was transformed into L -talose. The ketones (+)- 1 and (?)- 1 were derived from furan and 1-cyanovinyl (1S)-camphanate and 1-cyanovinyl (1R)-camphanate, respectively.     

Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangements of 5,6-exo-Epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl Derivatives. Migratory Aptitudes of Acyl vs. Alkyl Groups in Wagner-Meerwein Transpositions

In the presence of HSO₃F/Ac₂O in CH₂CL₂, 2-exo- and 2-endo-cyano-5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl acetates ( 6a , b ) gave products derived from the epoxide-ring opening and a 1,2-shift of the unsubstituted alkyl group (σ bond C(3)–C(4)). In contrast, under similar conditions, the 5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 6c ) gave 5-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,7-diyl diacetates 20 and 21 arising from the 1,2-shift of the acyl group. Acid treatment of 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-dimethoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6d ) and of 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-bis(benzyloxy)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6e ) gave minor products arising from epoxide-ring opening and the 1,2-shift of σ bond C(3)–C(4) and major products ( 25 , 29 ) arising from the 1,3-shift of a methoxy and benzyloxy group, respectively. Under similar conditions, 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-ethylenedioxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6f ) gave 1,1-(ethylenedioxy)-2-(2-furyl)ethyl acetate ( 32 , major) and a minor product 33 , arising from the 1,2-shift of σ bond C(3)–C(4). The following order of migratory aptitudes for 1,2-shifts toward electron-deficient centers has been established: acyl > alkyl > alkyl α-substituted with inductive electron-withdrawing groups. This order is valid for competitive Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements involving equilibria between carbocation intermediates with similar exothermicities.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (1R,2S,4S)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-carboxylic acid

A scalable enantioselective access to (1R,2S,4S)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-carboxylic acid 7, a key precursor in the synthesis of A2a receptor antagonist 1 by means of an enzymatic resolution of the respective butyl ester with lipase A from Candida antarctica, is described.     

Total Syntheses of (−)-Conduritol B ((−)-1L-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,3/2,4-tetrol) and of (+)-Conduritol F((+)-1D-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,4/3-tetrol). Determination of the Absolute Configuration of (+)-Leucanthemito

The ‘naked sugar’ (+)-(1R,2R4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-sn-2-exo-yl acetate ((+)- 4 ) was converted (7 steps, 45% overall) with high stereoselectivity into (?)-(4R,5S,6R)-4,5,6-tris{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}cyclohex-2-en-1-one ((?)- 11 ). Reduction of (?)- 1 with NaBH₄- CeCl₃ · 7 H₂O, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moieties gave (+)-conduritol F ((+)- 1 ; 47%) whose characteristics were identical to those of natural (+)-leucanthemitol. Reduction of (?)- 11 with DIBAH, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moiety led to (?)-conduritol B ((?)- 3 ; 51 %).     

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 ).     

The use of (−)-8-phenylisoneomenthol and (−)-8-phenylmenthol in the enantioselective synthesis of 3-functionalized 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives via aza-Diels-Alder reaction

The asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction of the (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl or (1R)-8-phenylisoneomenthyl glyoxylate-derived N-benzylimine with cyclopentadiene resulted in the enantioselective synthesis of the corresponding pure [(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene]-3-carboxylates (80 or 69% yield, respectively). Reduction of these cycloadducts with LiAlH₄ afforded pure (−)-[(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-yl]methanol. Furthermore, a reaction sequence based on Barbier-Wieland degradation of both (1S,3-exo)-adducts afforded pure (+)-(1R)-2-benzoyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one. In the course of the two transformation sequences referred, the chiral auxiliaries were recovered in a virtually quantitative way.     

Stereoselective additions to the exocyclic CC bond of some α-alkylidene-(+)-camphor derivatives

Stereoselective additions to the exocyclic CC double bond of some (1R,3E,4S)-3-alkylidene-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4E,5S)-4-alkylidene-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones were studied. All additions took place predominantly from the less hindered endo-face of the methylidene compounds to give the corresponding exo-adducts as the major isomers. Thus, catalytic hydrogenations afforded the α-alkylated (1R,3R,4R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4R,5R)-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones in 28–100% de. Similarly, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 2,4,6-trisubstituted benzonitrile oxides gave the corresponding spiro cycloadducts in 66–100% de. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction.     

5,5,6-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one in the Synthesis of Carbocyclic Analogs of Prostaglandin Endoperoxides

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides to 5,5,6-trimethyl-exo-2-ethynylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-endo-2-ol yields the corresponding 2-(isoxazol-5-yl) derivatives. Opening of the isoxazole ring in the latter gives rise to prostanoid precursors with partially built up or completed side chain. 5,5,6-Trimethyl-3-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one reacts with nitromethane in the presence of tetramethylguanidine to afford 5,5,6-trimethyl-exo-3-(2-nitroethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one which can be converted into the corresponding nitrile oxide by the action of phenyl isocyanate in benzene in the presence of triethylamine as catalyst. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of the nitrile oxide to ethyl 4-pentynoate yields 3-exo-[5-(2-ethoxycarbonylethyl)isoxazol-3-ylmethyl]-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one. Treatment of the latter with hydroxyl amine leads to formation of the corresponding Z-oxime whose reaction with n-hexyl bromide results in transalkylation of the ester group to afford 3-exo-[5-(2-hexyloxycarbonylethyl)isoxazol-3-ylmethyl]-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one oxime.     

Copper(I)- and Copper(II)-catalyzed Diels-Alder Additions of α-Substituted Acrylonitrile to Furan. The Synthesis of 7-Oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one

The difficult Diels-Alder additions of α-acetoxy- and α-chloroacrylonitrile to furan can be run at 20–35° and atmospheric pressure in the presence of CuCl. Cu(BF₄) · 6 H₂O, Cu(OOCCH₃)₂ · H₂O or cupric tartrate · 3H₂O. Under kinetic control, the exo-carbonitrile adducts 2 and 8 , respectively, are favoured. Saponification of the 2endo-acetoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2exo-carbonitrile ( 2 ) furnished the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 4 ). Basic hydrolysis of the adducts ( 8 + 9 ) of α-chloroacrylonitrile to furan and its 5exo, 6exo-isopropylidenedioxy derivatives did not give the corresponding ketones, the carboxamides 14 + 15 and 16 + 17 , respectively, were isolated.     

Some Transformations of (-)-(1S,4R)-1-Vinyl-7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

Reactions were studied of (-)-(1S,4R)-1-vinyl-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one with ethyl acetate lithium derivative, potassium acetylide, ozone, with a system OsO₄-N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, and some subsequent transformations of the products obtained.     

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 .     

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°.     

2-Chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide and 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxamide as precursors of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one: resolution,absolute configuration and hydrogen-bonding properties

The absolute configuration of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one has not been correlated with a crystal structure of a chemical precursor. The only chemical correlation available had an ambiguity, which could have reversed the assignment. Herein, we report the resolution of 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-carboxamide on a cellulose triacetate column and the crystal structures of the enantiomerically pure and racemic α-chloroamide. We found the absolute configuration (1R,2R,4R) for the (+)-enantiomer of the α-chloroamide. This compound was converted to (+)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-one by base hydrolysis, and the 5,6-unsaturated compounds converted to the saturated congeners. This is the first unambiguous experimental determination of the absolute configuration of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one and of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-one. The three crystal structures of 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-carboxamide reported herein reveal H-bonded dimers, with two distinct orientations of the bicyclic portion relative to the carboxamide dimer. In the racemic crystal, each dimer is composed of two enantiomers, and the bicyclic portions have their bridge carbon atom (C-7) on opposite sides of the H-bonded carboxamide dimer moiety. In the enantiomerically pure crystals, the major dimer had both C-7 atoms on the same side of the carboxamide dimer moiety while the minor dimer had the C-7 atoms on opposite sides. The dimers are present in solution, and can be easily monitored.     

Synthesis of (−)-Conduritol C (1L-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,3/4-tetrol)

(1R, 2R, 4R)-2-endo-Cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl acetate ((?)-7) has been transformed into the all-cis-configurated 4L -4,5,6/0-trihydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one derivatives (?)- 12 and (?)- 19 . (?)-Conduritol C ((?)- 3 ) was derived in a stereospecific manner from (?)- 12 .