Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 14. Glycosidation of partially protected galactopyranose-, glucopyranose-, and mannopyranose-derived vicinal diols

The relation between H-bonding in diequatorial trans-1,2 and axial, equatorial cis-1,2-diols and the regioselectivity of glycosidation by the diazirine 1 was examined. H-Bonds were assigned on the basis of FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra (Fig. 1). Glycosidation by 1 of the gluco-configurated diequatorial trans-2,3-diols 4–7 yielded the mono-glucosylated products 16/17/20/21 (69–89%); 1,2-/1,3-linked products (37–46:63–54), 24/25/28/29 (60–63%; 1,2-/1,3-linked products 46–51:54–49), 32–35 (69–94%; 1,2-/1,3-linked products 45–52:55–48), and 36/37/40/41 (59–63%; 1,2-/1,3-linked products 52–59:48–41), respectively (Scheme 1, Table 3). The disaccharides derived from 4, 5 , and 7 were characterized as their acetates 18/19/22/23, 26/27/30/31 , and 38/39/42/43 , respectively. Glycosidation of the galacto-configurated diequatorial 2,3-diols 8 and 9 and the manno-configurated diequatorial 3,4-diol 10 by 1 (Scheme 2, Table 3) also proceeded in fair yields to give the disaccharides 44–47 (69–80%;1,2-/1,3-linked products ca. 1:1), 48–51 (51–61%;1,2/-1,3-linked products 54–56:56–54), and 56/57/60/61 (71–80%; 1,3-/1,4-linked products 49–54:51–46), respectively. The 1,3-linked disaccharides 56/57 derived from the diol 10 were characterized as the acetates 58/59 . The regio- and stereoselectivities of the glycosidation by 1 were much better for the α-D -manno-configurated axial, equatorial cis-2,3-diol 11 and the galacto-configurated axial, equatorial cis-3,4-diol 13 (1,2-/1,3-linked disaccharides ca. 3:7 for 11 and 1,3-/1,4-linked disaccharides ca. 4:1 for 13 ; Scheme 3, Table 4). The regio- and stereoselectivity for the β-D -manno-configurated cis-2,3-diol 12 were, however, rather poor (1,2-/1,3-linked products 48:52). The 1,2-linked disaccharides 66/67 derived from 12 were characterized as the acetates 70/71 . Koenigs-Knorr-type glycosidation of the cis-diols 11–13 by 2 or 3 proceeded with a similar regio- and a higher stereoselectivity (α-D > β-D with the donor 2 and α-D < β-D with the donor 3 ) than with 1 , with the exception of 12 which did not react with 2 . The regioselectivity of the glycosidations by 1 agrees fully with the H-bonding scheme of the diols and with the hypothesis that the intermediate carbene is preferentially protonated by the most weakly H-bonded OH group. The regioselectivity of the glycosidation by 2 and by 3 is determined by a higher reactivity of the equatorial OH groups and by H-bonding. Several H-bonded and equilibrating isomers of a given diol may intervene in the glycosidation by 1 , or by 2 and 3 , resulting in the same regioselectivity. The low nucleophilicity of 12 and the low degree of regioselectivity in its reaction with 3 show that stereoelectronic effects may also profoundly influence the nucleophilicity of OH groups.     

Reactivity difference between diphosgene and phosgene in reaction with (2,3-anti)-3-amino-1,2-diols

In reactions of (2,3-anti)-3-amino-1,2-diols with diphosgene and phosgene and their conversion into 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones, some differences in the stereochemistry of the reactions have been found with these two reagents. The reactions with phosgene afforded the expected cis-oxazolidinones, and in the reaction with diphosgene under the same reaction conditions, the trans-oxazolidinones were also obtained.     

Rearrangement of Derivatives of 1,3-Dithian-5-amineinto Bicyclic 2-Thiazolidines. Crystal Structures of cis- and trans-1-(2-Aryl-1,3-dithain-5-yl)-2-thioureas and cis- and trans-5-Aryl-3-imino-7,7a-dihydro-1H,3H,5H-thiazolo[3,4-c]thiazoles

Under conditions normally applied to transform thioureas into the corresponding carbodiimides, cis- and trans-1-(2-aryl-1,3-dithian-5-yl)-2-thioureas 7 and 8 undergo a rearrangement to 5-aryl-3-imino-7,7a-dihydro-1H, 3H, 5H-thiazolo[3,4-c]thiazoles 9/10 with cis- and trans-fused rings, respectively. The structures of these novel heterocycles were established by X-ray analysis of compounds 9a , 9d , and 10d . The cis-fused compounds 9 are the thermodynamically more stable ones. The stereochemical outcome of the rearrangement depends on the carbenium ion stabilizing capability of the aryl moiety and on the reagent system applied. With Ar = Ph, p-Cl-Ph, p-O₂N-Ph, the reaction can be directed to deliver mainly either the cis-thiazolothiazoles 9 or the trans-thiazolothiazoles 10 . With Ar = 5-methyl-4-imidazolyl or p-Me₂N-Ph, formation of the cis-thiazolothiazoles ( 9a and 9b , resp.) is strongly favored independently of the reaction conditions, In contrast to it 2-aryl analogs, (1,3-dithian-5-yl)-2-thiourea 7g can be transformed into the carbodiimide 11 . Under rigorous conditions, 11 also undergoes rearrangement to the corresponding thiazolothiazole 9g . Mechanisms explaining the above findings are discussed. Reaction of trans-2-phenyl-1,3-dithian-5-amine 6d with phosgene or trichloromethyl chloroformate gives the 5-phenyl-7,7a-dihydro-1H,3H,5H-thiazolo[3,4-c]-thiazol-3-ones 12 and 13 , whereas the amine 5g lacking an aryl substitutent forms the sable isocyanate 14 . Compound 14 is transformed into the corresponding thiazolothiazolone 15 by refluxing in diglyme. Syntheses are described for the 1,3-dithian-5-amines 5 / 6 and the thioureas 7 / 8 derived therefrom. The relative configuration of 7d and 8d was determined by X-ray analysis. NMR data then allowed to assign the configurations of all compounds of types 7 and 8 .     

Compounds with bridgehead nitrogen. 42—1H NMR and stereochemistry of isomeric 6a-methylperhydroindolo[3,2,1-i,j]benzoxazines and the position of conformational equilibrium in perhydropyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3]oxazine

The ¹H NMR parameters of the NCH₂O protons in the spectrum of perhydropyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3]oxazine show its existence in solution at room temperature in the O-inside cis-fused conformation. rel-(3aS,6aS,6bR,10aS,11aS)-6a-Methylperhydroindolo[3,2,1-i,j]benzoxazine and rel-(3aS,6aS,6bS,10aR,11aS)-6a-methylperhydroindolo[3,2,1-i,j]benzoxazine are shown to adopt cis- and trans-fused conformations, respectively, for the corresponding bicyclic moiety.     

Stereochemical Analysis of an Aromatic Triplet Di-π-methane Rearrangement

It is shown that (−)-(S)-N,N-dimethyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((−)-(S)- 4 ), on direct irradiation in MeCN at 20°, undergoes in its lowest-lying triplet state an aromatic di-π-methane (ADPM) rearrangement to yield (−)-(1′R,2′R)- and (+)-(1′R,2′S)-N,N-dimethyl-2-(2-methylcyclopropyl)aniline ((−)-trans- and (+)-cis- 7 ) in an initial trans/cis ratio of 4.71 ± 0.14 and in optical yields of 28.8 ± 5.2% and 15 ± 5%, respectively. The ADPM rearrangement of (−)-(S)- 4 to the trans- and cis-configurated products occurs with a preponderance of the path leading to retention of configuration at the pivot atom (C(1′) in the reactant and C(2′) in the products) for (−)-trans- 7 and to inversion of configuration for (+)-cis- 7 , respectively. The results can be rationalized by assuming reaction paths which involve the occurrence of discrete 1,4- and 1,3-diradicals (cf. Schemes 10, 12, and 13). A general analysis of such ADPM rearrangements which allows the classification of these photochemical reactions in terms of borderline cases is presented (Scheme 14). It is found that the optical yields in these ‘step-by-step’ rearrangements are determined by the first step, i.e. by the disrotatory bond formation between C(2) of the aromatic moiety and C(2′) of the allylic side chain leading to the generation of the 1,4-diradicals. Moderation of the optical yields can occur in the ring closure of the 1,3-diradicals to the final products, which may take place with different trans/cis-ratios for the individual 1,3-diradicals. Compounds (−)-trans- 7 as well as (+)-cis- 7 easily undergo the well-known photochemical trans/cis-isomerization. It mainly leads to racemization. However, a small part of the molecules shows trans/cis-isomerization with inversion of configuration at C(1′), which is best explained by a photochemical cleavage of the C(1′)–C(3′) bond.     

Polymérisation radicalaire du pentadiène-1,3. II. Microstructure des résidus pentadiéniques dans les homo- et copolymères des cis et trans pentadiènes-1,3 avec l'acrylonitrile

The microstructure of diene units was investigated in radical homopolymers of the cis and trans isomers of 1,3-pentadiene and copolymers with acrylonitrile, synthetized in bulk and emulsion. Experiments were carried out by infrared spectroscopy, 100 MHz ¹H-NMR, and 25 MHz ¹³C-NMR studies. No difference between the bulk and emulsion samples was noted. The microstructure of poly(1,3-pentadiene) is practically independent of the cis or trans configuration of the diene monomer and is as follows: 56–59% trans-1,4, 15–17% cis-1,4, 16–20% trans-1,2 7–10% cis-1,2 and 0% 3,4. On the other hand, up to about 30% of incorporated acrylonitrile (10% in the feed), the microstructure of the pentadiene fraction in the copolymers is not affected. This finding suggests that the penultimate unit has very little influence on the polymerization process involving the terminal pentadienly unit. Beyond 10% of acrylonitrile in the feed, the proportions of the structural units were linearly dependent upon the acrylonitrile content: trans-1,4 content increased whereas the amounts of cis-1,4 trans-1,2 and cis-1,2 decreased (except the cis-1,2 fraction, constant in the copolymers from the cis-diene). These results are discussed on the assumption that the microstructure of pentadiene residues is strongly associated with the acrylonitrile comonomer in the feed.     

Compounds with bridgehead nitrogen. 44—the conformational analysis of perhydropyrido[1,2-c] [1,3]thiazine

The 270 MHz NMR data on trans- and cis-(H-4a, H-7)-7-ethylperhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]thiazine show heavy conformational bias to the trans- and S-inside cis-fused conformations, respectively. Comparison of the ¹³C NMR spectra of these anancomeric systems with the ¹³C NMR spectrum of perhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]thiazine indicates a trans-?S-inside cis-conformational equilibrium for the latter compound in CDCl₃ at 25°C, containing ca 75% trans-fused conformer. The ¹³C NMR spectrum of perhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]-thiazine at ?75°C showed 64% trans-fused conformer and 36% S-inside cis-conformer.     

Intramolecular formation of excimers in model compounds for polyesters obtained from 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and cyclohexanediols

The fluorescence in dilute solution has been measured as a function of solvent viscosity for four bichromophoric models for polyesters with naphthalene in the rigid aromatic unit and diols derived from cyclohexane as the flexible spacer. The spacers are 1,2-cis-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, a 1:2 mixture of 1,3-cis- and 1,3-trans-cyclohexanediols, and a 1:2 mixture of 1,4-cis- and 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediols. The shape of the emission spectra for the molecules in this series is less sensitive to the viscosity of the medium than was the case for an analogous series in which a methylene or oxyethylene spacer replaces the cyclohexanediol spacer. The dependence of the excimer emission on the type of spacer is different also in the series in which the rigid units contain naphthalene or benzene. When the rigid units contain naphthalene, excimer formation is maximal if the spacer contains 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, but this spacer produces a molecule with a very small tendency for excimer formation in its polymers with terephthalate. A conformational analysis correctly concludes that the spacer most conducive to excimer formation should be 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, but it does not identify the correct order of the remaining three bichromophoric model compounds. The problem may reside in the method for taking into account the finite width of the torsional well associated with each rotational isomer. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stable azomethine imines having a 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline fragment and their cycloaddition to <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylmaleimides

Aroylation of 5,6,8,8a,13,14,16,16a-octahydro[1,2,4,5]tetrazino[6,1-a:3,4-a′]diisoquinoline or 1,3,4,8b-tetrahydro[1,2]diazireno[3,1-a]isoquinoline, as well as reactions of 2-(2-bromoethyl)benzaldehyde with aroylhydrazines followed by treatment with triethylamine, led to the formation of stable azomethine imines, aroyl(3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium-2-yl)azanides. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of the latter to N-mesitylmaleimide was stereoselective: the ratio of the trans- and cis-adducts was ∼(3–7): 1, the former prevailing. The reactions with N-arylmaleimides having no ortho-substituents in the aryl group gave the corresponding cis-adducts as the major products [trans/cis ratio ∼1: (2.5–10)].     

Synthesis and Reactions of 4-cis- and 4-trans-Hydroxy-2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-trans-decahydroquinolines

By treating 2e-methyl-4-oxo-trans-decahydroquinoline with lithium acetylide a mixture of stereoisomeric 4-cis-hydroxy-2e-methyl- and 4-trans-hydroxy-2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-trans-decahydroquinolines was obtained in 3:2 ratio. Their reaction with acetonitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid (Ritter's reaction) results in a mixture of stereoisomeric 4-cis-acetylamino-2e-methyl- and 4-trans-acetylamino-2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-trans-decahydroquinolines in the same ratio. The ethynyl group of alcohols synthesized is not hydrated under conditions of Kuchrerov's reaction. The boiling of the alcohols with formic acid furnished a mixture of 4-acetyl-2e-methyl and 2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10-octahydroquinolines in 1:7 ratio. The former of these compounds under conditions of Ritter's reaction yielded a mixture (1:1.4) of stereoisomeric 4-acetyl-4-trans-acetylamino- and 4-acetyl-4-cis-acetylamino-2e-methyl-trans-decahydroquinolines. From 2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10-octahydroquinoline under the same conditions were obtained both already mentioned stereoisomeric 4-acetylamino-2e-methyl-4-ethynyl-decahydroquinolines (53% of cis-isomer and 35% of trans-isomer in the mixture) and 4-acetyl-4-acetylamino-2e-methyldecahydroquinolines (7% of cis-isomer and 5% of trans-isomer).     

The stereochemistry of 1,6,7,12b-Tetrahydro-2H,4H-[1,2] oxazino[3′,4′:1,2]-pyrido[3,4-b]indole and of 1,2,3,6,7,12b-Hexahydro-3-methyl-4H-pyrimido[3′,4′:1,2]pyrido[3,4-6] indole

From an analysis of nmr spectral data, 1,6,7,12b-tetrahydro-2H,4H-[1,3 ]oxazino[3′, 4′ :1,2]-pyrido[ 3,4-b ]indole is shown to exist in solution at room temperature almost entirely in the cis-fused ring conformation with the nitrogen lone pair bisecting the C4 methylene group whereas under the same conditions 1,2,3,6,7,12b-hexahydro-3-methyl-4H-pyrimido[3′,4′:1,2] pyrido-[3,4-b ]indole exists as an approximately 50:50 equilibrium mixture of the cis and trans-fused ring conformations.     

Proton magnetic resonance studies of compounds with bridgehead nitrogen atoms: XXXII—The 1H n.m.r. spectra and stereochemistry of 4-aryl-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-2H,4H-[1,3]oxazino[4,3-a]isoquinoline, 4-aryl-1,2,6,7,12,12b-hexahydro-4H-[1,3]oxazino[3′,4′:1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indole and of related systems

cis(4-H,11b-H)-4-Aryl-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-2H,4H-[1,3]oxazino [4,3-a]isoquinoline and the related thiazino compound preferentially adopt in solution the O (or S) inside cis-conformation in contrast to cis(1-H,4a-H)-1-arylperhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]oxazine which adopts the trans fused conformation. 1-(β-Hydroxy-ethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline condenses with benzaldehyde to give the 1,3-oxazine derivative rather than the dimeric structure reported in the literature.     

Unexpected Formation of Dimethylthioketene Cycloadducts in the Reaction of 1,3‐Diphenylaziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate with Cyclobutanethione Derivatives

The reaction of 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐3‐thioxocyclobutanone ( 1 ) with cis‐1‐alkyl‐2,3‐diphenylaziridines 5 in boiling toluene yielded the expected trans‐configured spirocyclic 1,3‐thiazolidines 6 (Scheme 1). Analogously, dimethyl trans‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)aziridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (trans‐ 7 ) reacted with 1 and the corresponding dithione 2 , respectively, to give spirocyclic 1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylates 8 (Scheme 2). However, mixtures of cis‐ and trans‐derivatives were obtained in these cases. Unexpectedly, the reaction of 1 with dimethyl 1,3‐diphenylaziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate ( 11 ) led to a mixture of the cycloadduct 13 and 5‐(isopropylidene)‐4‐phenyl‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate ( 14 ), a formal cycloadduct of azomethine ylide 12 with dimethylthioketene (Scheme 3). The regioisomeric adduct 16 was obtained from the reaction between 2 and 11 . The structures of 6b , cis‐ 8a , cis‐ 8b, 10 , and 16 have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Etude de cyclohexanediols par spectrométrie de masse

Low resolution mass spectra of cyclohexane-1,2-diols and of deuterium labelled cyclohexane-1,2-diols cis and trans have been measured. The results indicate that it is easy to differentiate between positional isomers and that the stereochemistry of cyclohexane-1,2-diols can be deduced from the mass spectra. In the 1,2-diols the elimination of water under electron impact occurs simultaneously in three ways: (a) between an OH group and a H atom in position 1,4, (b) between the two OH groups, (c) without participation of the II atoms of the OH groups. Difficulties encountered in deducing unambiguous fragmentation patterns are discussed.     

Synthesis and Glycosidic Reaction of 1,2-Anhydromanno-, Lyxo-, Gluco-, and Xylofuranose Perbenzyl Ethers

ABSTRACT

Stereospecific synthesis of 1,2-anhydromanno-, lyxo-, gluco-, and xylofuranose perbenzyl ethers was successfully achieved via intramolecular S _N2 reaction of the corresponding C-1 alkoxide with C-2 bearing tosyloxy group. The key intermediates, furanose 2-sulfonates, were prepared from the corresponding 1,2-diols and tosyl chloride under phase transfer conditions in good yields. Condensation of the anhydro sugars with 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose or N-benzyloxycarbonyl L-serine methyl ester in the absence of catalyst gave 1,2-trans-linked glycofuranosides in high yield.     

Synthesis of 1,2-cis-Configurated Glycosylphosphonates

A synthesis of 1,2-cis-configurated, non-isosteric phosphonate analogues of aldose-1-phosphates is described. Treatment of 1-O-acyl-glycoses 1 , 7 , 13 , and 19 with trialkyl phosphite in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate gave the 1,2-cis-configurated glycosylphosphonates 2 , 4 , 8 , 10 , 14 , 16 , 20 , and 22 as the major anomers and the 1,2-trans-configurated glycosylphosphonates 3 , 5 , 9 , 11 , 15 , 17 , 21 , and 23 as the minor anomers. The 1,2-cis-configurated phosphonates 4 , 10 , 16 , and 22 were deprotected to give the (β-D -glucopyranosyl)phosphonate 6 , the (β-D -mannopyranosyl)phosphonate 12 , the (β-D -ribofuranosyl)phosphonate 18 , and the (β-D -arabinofuranosyl)phosphonate 24 , respectively, in high yields. The preferred formation of 1,2-cis-configurated phosphonates is explained by postulating an equilibrium between the anomeric phosphonium-salt intermediates (such as 25 and 26 ) and a stabilization of the cis-configurated salts through formation of a pentacoordinated species (such as 28 ).     

Die C8H12-Energiehyperfläche Thermolyse von syn- und anti-Tricyclo[4.2.0.02,5]octan. Experimentelle und theoretische Untersuchungen

The C₈H₁₂-Energy Hypersurface Thermolysis of syn- and anti-Tricyclo[4.2.0.0^2,5]octane. Experimental and Theoretical Studies The thermal behaviour of syn- and anti-tricyclo[4.2.0.0^2,5]octanes 9 and 10 in the gas phase as well as in solution is investigated. Two Mayn products are formed in parallel reactions: cis, cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene ( 11 ) and cis, trans-1,5-cyclooctadiene ( 15 ), the latter being partly isomerized to 11 under the reaction conditions. Minor products are cis-1,2-divinylcyclobutane ( 6 ), trans-1,2-divinylcyclobutane ( 16 ) and 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene ( 17 ). Thermolysis of cis-1,2-divinylcyclobutane leads to small amounts of cis, trans-cyclooctadiene, presumably via a four-centre transition state. The tricyclics most likely prefer a stepwise isomerization. The decisive product-controlling factor seems to be the conformational mobility of intermediate diradicals. By comparison with the boat-Cope reaction of divinylcyclobutane the pericyclic six-centre transition state of this rearrangements is shown to lie energetically about 19 kcal/mol below the transition states in the thermolysis of 9 and 10 . The azo compound 12 on heating fragments predominantly in a concerted manner in contrast to the photolysis. Theoretical methods are applied to unveil structure and bonding in the supposed intermediate diradicals.     

Glycoside Synthesis with Anomeric 1-N-Glycobiosyl-1,2,3-triazoles1

Abstract

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of the acetylated 1,2-trans- and 1,2-cis-cellobiosyl, -lactosyl, -maltosyl, and -melibiosyl azides with various acetylenedicarboxylic acid esters gave the corresponding 1-N-glycobiosyl-1,2,3-triazoles (1a,b,c-8a,b,c) which have been used as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of oligosaccharides (15-17) and an anthracycline type antibiotic (18).     

Stereoselective syntheses and transformations of chiral 1,3-aminoalcohols and 1,3-diols derived from nopinone

A library of 1,3-difunctionalized pinane derivatives were synthesized and applied as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. 1,3-Aminoalcohol 6a was prepared from (−)-nopinone 2 via stereoselective Mannich condensation and reduction of the resulting β-amino ketone 4. The key aminoalcohol 6a was transformed into primary, secondary and tertiary substituted aminoalcohols in order to study the effect of the substituent on catalytic activity. Starting from (−)-nopinone, cis- and trans-β-hydroxy esters 15 and 16 were prepared in a two-step stereoselective synthesis. Reduction of the hydroxy esters resulted in pinane-based 1,3-diols, while hydrolysis of the esters, followed by DCC-mediated amidation and subsequent reduction, led to cis- and trans-N-benzyl-1,3-aminoalcohols 8 and 23. trans-N-Benzyl-1,3-aminoalcohol 8 was also prepared by selective mono-debenzylation of 6a via a continuous-flow process in an H-Cube® system. The resulting aminoalcohols and diols were applied as chiral catalysts in the reaction of diethylzinc and benzaldehyde.     

Synthese und Chiralität der stereoisomeren Achillene,Achillenole und Hymentherene

(+)-cis-Achillene ( 10 ) and (?)-trans-achillenol (7), two monoterpenes recently isolated [1] from the essential oil of Achilleafilipendulina, were synthesized, together with their stereoisomers (?)-(9) and (+)-(8), starting from (S)-(+)-2,6-trans-dimethylocta-1,3, 7-triene ( 1 ). The isomeric ß-hymen thereties ((?)- 3 and (+)-4), often quoted [2] [3] [4] but never isolated, were obtained as intermediates. The mode of synthesis chosen establishesis (R)-chirality for naturally occurring (?)-trans-achillenol (7) and (+)-cis-achillene ( 10 ) as well as for the purely synthetic 4, 7-diene derivatives described in this paper.