The Preparation of Optically Pure 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene Derivatives. The CD Spectrum of (+)-(1R)-7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one

(?)-1-Camphanoyloxyacrylonitrile (=(?)-1-cyanovinyl camphanate; 1 ) obtained from the commercially available (?)-camphanoyl chloride and 2-oxo-propiononitrile added to furan at 20° in the presence of Cu (BF₄)₂ · 6H₂O or ZnI₂ and gave a mixture of 2-cyano-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl camphanates ( 2–5 ) from which isomer 5 could be obtained pure by crystallization. The latter was transformed into (+)-(1R)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 6 ) in high yield and optical purity. Adducts 2–4 were recycled into 1 +furan by heating in toluene, and (?)-camphanic acid was recovered after saponification of 5 . The absolute configuration of 6 was deduced from its CD spectrum which showed two 1200-cm_?1 Franck-Condon series for its n→π transition.