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.     

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.     

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.     

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 %).     

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.     

Circular Dichroism of Planar,Exocyclic S-cis-Butadienes Remotely Perturbed

Optically pure 5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl derivatives have been prepared. The sign of the Cotton effects associated with lowest-energy transition of 2–(dicyanomethylidene)-((?)-(1S,4S)- 15 ), (E)-2-(methoxyimino)-((+)-(1S,4S)- 16 ), (Z)-2-(methoxyimino)-5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ((?)(1S,4S)- 17 ), and 2,3,5-trimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ((?)-(1R,4S)- 18 ) is opposite to the chirality constituted by the coupling of the electric transition moments of the two homoconjugated π-chromophores (Kuhn-Kirkwood dipole-coupling mechanism). When the substituents at C(2) are not π-functions, no general rule can be retained for the chiroptical properties of the 5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl systems as shown for dimethyl acetal (?)-(1S,4S)- 19 , ethylene acetal (+)-(1R,4R)- 20 , exo and endo methyl ethers (+)-(1R,2S,4R)- 21 and (+)-(1R,2R,4R)- 22 , and for spirol[5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2.2'-oxiranes](?)-(1S,2S,4S)- 23 and (?)-(1S,2S,4S)- 24 .     

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 .     

Absolute Configuration of 3-Substituted 1-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes

The l-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-exo-ol ( 2 ) was resolved by fractional crystallisation of its hydrogen tartrate salts. The enantiomers (+)- and (?)- 2 were oxidised to the ketones (?)- 4 and (+)- 4 , respectively (Scheme). CD spectroscopy suggested that (?)- 4 possesses the (1R,4S)-configuration. This absolute configuration was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of the derivative (+)-(1R,4R)-3-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-1-azabicyclo [2.2.1]-heptane ((+)- 5 ).     

Instructions to Authors (1994)

(1S,2R,6R,7R)-4-Phenyl-3,10-dioxa-5-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec-4-en-9-one ((+)- 5 ) obtained in 6 steps from the Diels-Alder adduct of furan to 1-cyanovinyl (1S)-camphanate ((+)- 3 ) was reduced to the corresponding endo-alcohol (?)- 6 the treatment of which with HBr/AcOH provided (?)-(3aS,4S,6R,7S,7aR)-4β-bromo-3aβ,4,5,6,7,7aβ-hexahydro-2-phenyl-1,3-benzoxazole-6β,7α-diyl diacetate ((?)- 17 ). Elimination of HBr with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and acidic hydrolysis furnished (?)-(1R,2S,3R,4R)-4-aminocyclohex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol ( ? (?)-conduramine C₁;(?)- 1 ).     

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 ).     

Total synthesis of 2-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)thiazole-4-carboxamide (Tiazofurin) and of precursors of ribo-C-nucleosides

(1R,2S,4R)-2-Cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl (1S′)-camphanate ( 5 ) was transformed into (?)-methyl 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-O-tris[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]-D -allonate ( 2 ), (+)-1,3-diphenyl-2-{2′,3′,5′-O-tris[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]-β-D -ribofuranosyl}imidazolidine ( 3 ), and the benzamide 20 of 1-amino-2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-3,4,6-O-tris-[((tert-butyl)dimethylsily)]-D -allitol. Compound 2 was converted efficiently into optically active tiazofurin ( 1 ).     

Optical resolution of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-21-ene derivatives. Diastereoselectivity in the formation of cyanohydrine-brucine complexes

A new, practical method for the optical resolution of bicyclic ketones if illusttrated by the preparation of (+)-(1R,4R)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]bept-5-en-2-one ((+)- 1 ) and (+)-(1R, 2S,4R)-2-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yul acetate ((+)- 4 ). It involves the diastereoselective formation of a brucine complex with the corresponding cyanhydrine mixture.     

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 Circular Dichroism of 5,6-Dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.n]alky Esters. Chiral Exciton Coupling between Benzoate and Exocyclic s-cis-Butadiene Chromophores

The optically pure aryl-substituted 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl benzoates 12–21 were prepared; their UV absorption and CD spectra are reported. The (?)-(1S,2S)-esters 17–21 with carbonyl groups in endo-position exhibit typical excitonsplit Cotton effects whereas the corresponding (?)-(1S,2R)-esters 12 - 16 with carbonyl groups in exo-position do not present such effects. The chiral exciton coupling between the exocyclic diene and a remote p-substituted benzoate chromophore can be used for unambiguous assignment of the absolute configuration of 5,6-dimethylidene-2-endo-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl derivatives. The method is applied to establish the absolute configuration of 5,6-dimethylidene-2-exo and -2-endo-bicyclo[2.2.2.]octyl p-bromobenzoates (?)- 24 and (?)- 25 .     

Circular Dichroism of Tricarbonyl(diene)iron Complexes. The Octant Rule Applied to Ketones Perturbed by Remote Fe(CO)3 Groups. Crystal Structure of (±)-Tricarbonyl[(1RS,4RS,5RS,6SR)-C5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron

The preparation and the CD spectra of optically pure (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C -η : C,7,8,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo [2.2.2]octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 7 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8,-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 8 ), and of its 3-deuterated derivatives (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,3R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C-η-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]-(octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 11 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 12 ) are reported. The chirality in (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 is due to the Fe(CO)₃ moieties uniquely. The signs of the Cotton effects observed for (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 obey the octant rule (ketone n→π*_CO transition). Optically pure (?)-3R-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ((?)- 10 ) was prepared. Its CD spectrum showed an ‘anti-octant’ behaviour for the ketone n→π*_CO transition of the deuterium substituent. The CD spectra of the alcoholic derivatives (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,4S, 5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 2 ) and (?)-tricarbonyl- [(1S,2R,4S,5S,6R)- C,5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]iron ((?)- 3 ) and of the 3-denterated derivatives (?)- 5 and (?)- 6 are also reported. The CD spectra of the complexes (?)- 2 , (?)- 3 , (+)- 7 , and (+)- 8 were solvent and temperature dependent. The ‘endo’-configuration of the Fe(CO)₃ moiety in (±)- 8 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

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.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 3- Azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane Alkaloids

The stereospecific synthesis of the monoterpene alkaloids (?)-α-skytanthine ((?)- 2 ), (?)-N -demethyle-δ-sky-tanthine((?)- 7 ), and (+)-epidihydrotecomanine (+)- 4 was achieved from a common intermediate 22 , which in turn was obtained from (1R,4S,1′S)-2-(1′-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene (10) ,via a ketene aza-Claisen rearrangement. The piperidine derivative (+)- 31 , formally the aza-analogue of (+)-isoiridomyrmecin, was also obtained from the same intermediate 22 .     

Synthetic Transformations of Higher Terpenoids: VIII. [4+2]-Cycloaddition Reactions of Lambertianic Acid

The Diels-Alder reaction of lambertianic acid with maleic anhydride occurred in a stereoselective fashion and yielded diastereoisomeric (1R,2S,6R,7R)- and (1S,2R,6S,7S)-exo-adducts. The latter reacted with L-valinol to give the corresponding diterpenoid imides, 4-aza-9-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]dec-8-enes. Reactions of lambertianic acid with N-substituted maleimides in the presence of Lewis acids afforded diastereoisomeric adducts having both exo and endo configuration. Some transformations of the adducts were examined with a view to obtain cantharidin and dihydroisoindole analogs.     

Photochemische Umsetzung von optisch aktiven 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilinen mit Methanol

Photochemical Reaction of Optically Active 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilines with Methanol It is shown that (?)-(S)-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 4 ) on irradiation in methanol yields (?)-(2S, 3R)-2, 3-dimethylindoline ((?)-trans- 8 ), (?)-(1′R, 2′R)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)aniline ((?)-erythro- 9 ) as well as racemic (1′RS, 2′SR)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl) aniline ((±)-threo- 9 ) in 27.1, 36.4 and 15.7% yield, respectively (see Scheme 3). By deamination and chemical correlation with (+)-(2R, 3R)-3-phenyl-2-butanol ((+)-erythro- 13 ; see Scheme 4) it was found that (?)-erythro- 9 has the same absolute configuration and optical purity as the starting material (?)-(S)- 4 . Comparable results are obtained when (?)-(S)-N-methyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 7 ) is irradiated in methanol, i.e. the optically active indoline (+)-trans- 10 and the methanol addition product (?)-erythro- 11 along with its racemic threo-isomer are formed (cf. Scheme 3). These findings demonstrate that the methanol addition products arise from stereospecific, methanol-induced ring opening of intermediate, chiral trans, -(→(?)-erythro-compounds) and achiral cis-spiro [2.5]octa-4,6-dien-8-imines (→(±)-threo-compounds; see Schemes 1 and 2).