3,7-disubstituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes—III: Synthesis and conformation of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3α,7α-dicarboxylic acid,its dimethyl ester and some other 3,7-disubstituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes; adamantane as an integrated holding system

The conformation of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3α,7α-dicarboxylic acid and its dimethyl ester has been studied by comparing ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra of these compounds with those of some model 3,7-disubstituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes, fixed in a single conformation by the use of adamantane as an integrated holding group or by means of suitable substitution. It is shown that the dicarboxylic acid and its dimethyl ester exist predominantly as two rapidly interconverting (identical) chair-boat conformations with distinctly flattened rings; the population of the double-boat conformation appears to be very small.