Face Selectivity of the Diels-Alder Additions of Exocyclic Dienes Grafted onto 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes

Stereoselective syntheses of 2exo, 3exo-bis (chloromethyl)-5-[(Z)-chloromethylidene]- ( 9 ), 2exo, 3exo-bis (chloromethyl)5-[(E)-chloromethylidene]- ( 10 ) and 2exo, 3exo-bis(chloromethyl)-5-[(E)-methoxymethylidene]-6-niethylidene-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 13 ) are presented. Double elimination of HCI from 9, 10 and 13 yielded 2-[(Z)-chloromethylidene]- ( 14 ), 2-[(E)chloromethylidene]- ( 15 ) and 2-[(E)-methoxymethylidene]-3,5,6-mmethylidene-7-oxabicycio[2.2.1]heptane ( 18 ), respectively, without loss of the olefin configuration. Ethylene tetracarbonitrile (TCE) and N-phenyltriazolinedione (NPTAD) added to these new exocyclic dienes and tetraenes preferentially onto their exo-face. The same face selectivity was observed for the cycloadditions of TCE to the (Z)- and (E)-chlorodienes 9 and 10 , thus realizing a case where the kinetic stereoselectivity of the additions is proven not to be governed by the stability of the adducts. The exo-face selectivity of the Diels-Alder additions of dienes grafted onto 7-oxabicyclo [2,2.1]heptanes contrasts with the endo-face selectivity reported for a large number of cycloadditions of dienes grafted onto bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeletons.     

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 .     

Interaction between Exocyclic s-cis-Butadiene and Homoconjugated Functions. Preparation and Diels-Alder Reactivity of Remotely Substituted 2,3-Dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The preparations of 5,6-dimethylidene-2exo-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol ( 8 ), its endo isomer 9 , 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 10 ) and 2 exo, 3 exo-epoxy-5,6dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 11 ) are described. The kinetics of their cycloaddition to tetracyanoethylene has been measured in toluene at 25° together with those of 2,3-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 7 ) and 5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (12). The effects of remote substitution on the Diels-Alder reactivity of 2,3-dimethyl idenebicyclo[2.2.2]octanes are compared with those observed in the 2,3-dimethylidenenorbornane series ( 1–6 ).     

Face Selectivity of the Diels-Alder Reaction of 5,6-Bis((D)methylidene)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octene

The face selectivity (endo-face vs. exo-face attack onto the exocyclic s-cis-butadiene moiety) of the [4+2]cycloadditions of 5,6-bis((D)methylidene)-2-bicyclo-[2.2.2]octene ( 11 ) to strong dienophiles has been determined in benzene at 25°. It is ca. 95/5, 75/5, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50 for N-phenyltriazolinedione (NPTAD), tetracyanoethylene (TCE), dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), maleic anhydride (MA) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂), respectively. The endo-face preference is probably due to a participation of the homoconjugated double bond at C(2), C(3) which makes the etheno bridge more polarizable than the ethano bridge in 11. The absence of face selectivity with ¹O₂ is consistent with an entropy-controlled mechanism involving the intermediacy of an exciplex.     

Exo- und endo-Tricarbonyleisenkomplexe von bicyclischen 2,3-Dimethylidenverbindungen

Exo- and endo-Tricarbonyliron Complexes of Bicyclic 2,3-Dimethylidene Compounds. The preparation of exo- and endo-tricarbonyliron complexes (exo- and endo- 5 , -6 , -8 , and 9 ) of 2,3-dimethylidene-5-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene( 1 ), -bicyclo[2.2.1]-heptane ( 2 ), -5-bicyclo[2.2.2]octene ( 3 ) and -bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 4 ) is described. The complexes are obtained by thermal reaction of the bicyclic butadienes with di-ironenneacarbonyl in hexane solution. exo- and endo- 5 are also formed photochemically from ironpentacarbonyl and 1 in pentane solution at ?35°. The structural assignment of exo- and endo -5 and -6 is based on their mass-spectra and on coordination shifts in ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR.-spectra exo- and endo -6 are correlated with exo- and endo -5 , respectively, by hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of the uncomplexed double bond in exo- and endo -5 occurs in both complexes from the exo side as shown by deuteration experiments. The free ligand 1 reacts in the same stereospecific manner.     

Stereoselective Double Functionalization of Iron-Carbonyl Complexes of 5,6,7,8-Tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene. Crystal Structure and Absolute Configuration of (–)-trans-μ-[(2S,5R,7S)-C,5,6,C-η:C,7,8,C-η-(6,7,8-trimethylidene-5-((Z)-2-oxopropylidene)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl acetate)]-bis(tricarbonyliron)

The Friedel-Crafts monoacylation of trans-η-[(1RS,2RS,4SR,5SR,6RS,7SR,8SR)-C,5,6,C-η:C,7,8,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl acetate)]-bis(tricarbonyliron) ((±)- 5 ) is highly stereoselective and yields trans-η-[(1RS,2RS,4RS,5SR,6RS,7RS,8SR)-C,6-η,oxo-σ:C,7,8,C-η-(6,7,8-trimethylidene-5-((Z)-2-oxopropylidene)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl acetate)]-bis(tricarbonyliron) ((±)- 8 ) which equilibrates with the trans-η-[(1RS,2RS,4RS,5SR,6RS,7RS,8SR)-C,5,6,C-η:C,7,8,C-η-(6,7,8-trimethylidene-5-((Z)-2-oxopropylidene)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl acetate)]-bis(tricarbonyliron) ((±)- 9 ) on heating. Optically pure (–)- 9 has been prepared from the corresponding optically pure alcohol (+)- 4 . The structure and absolute configuration of (–)- 9 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Regioselectivity of the Diels-Alder Additions of 2-Substituted 5,6 Dimethylidenenorbornanes and-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The cycloadditions of methyl propynoate and methyl vinyl ketone to 5,6-dimethylidene-2-norbornanone ( 6 ) are para′-regioselective

1 “Para” (p) designs in this paper the 4, 9-disubstituted tricclo[6.2.1.0^{2, 7}] undecane- and 4, 9-disubsstituted tricycle[6.2.20^2,7] dodecane derivatives, “meta” (m) design the corresponding 4, 10-disubstituted compounds.

. A smaller para -regioselectivity is observed for the addition of methyl propynoate to 5,6-dimethylidene-2bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 10 ). No regioselectivity is observed with 5,6-dimethylidene-2exo-norbornyl alcohol ( 3 ), acetate ( 5 ) and 5,6-dimethylidene-2exo-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol ( 9 ). PMO arguments based on the shape of the HOMO's and subHOMO's of the dienes allow to rationalize these observations. Unpredictable para′- or ‘meta’regioselectivities are found for the Diels,-Alder additions of 5,6-dimethylidene-2endo-norbornyl alcohol ( 2 ), acetate ( 4 ) and 5,6-dimethylidene-2endo-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol ( 8 ). The carbonyl group of β,γ unsaturated ketones such as 6 and 10 can act as an electron donating homoconjugated substituent. The n(CO) ? σ[C(1), C(2)] ? π[C(5), C(6)] hyperconjugative interaction can override the usual electron-withdrawing effect of this function.     

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.     

The 7,8-epoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene) bicyclo[2.2.2]octane; synthesis and diels-alder reactivity

The preparation of 7,8-epoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)bicyclo[2,2,2] octane (5) is described. Evidence for transannular interaction between the homoconjugated s-cis-butadiene functions in 5 is found in the UV absorption spectrum. The Diels-Alder addition of 5 to tetracyanoethylene (TCE) is syn-regioselective and leads to the monoaducts 16:17 (85:15). The dienes 16,17 are less reactive than 5 toward TCE. anti-regioselectivity (leading to exo-2, endo-3-bis(chloromethyl)-5,6-bis(methylene)-syn-7,8-epoxybicyclo[2.2.2]octaves (25) is observed in the double elimination of HCl from the syn-7,8-epoxy-exo-2,endo-3,exo-5,endo-6-tetrakis(chloromethyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (11), precursor of 5. The structures of the regioisomers 16,17 were confirmed spectroscopically and chemically. Elimination of HCl from the chloromethyl groups in 26 (TCE adduct of 25) and HCN from the TCE adducts 16, 17 and 26 can be induced by CsF in DMF.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis of new heterocycles by oxidation of functionalized cyclic derivatives of bis(2-chlorovinyl) sulfide and selenide

Oxidation of 4-substituted 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]thiomorpholine with hydrogen peroxide in a mixture of chloroform with acetic acid afforded the corresponding 4-R-2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-thiomorpholine 1-oxide. The results of oxidation of bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dichalcogenanes under analogous conditions depended on the chalcogen nature and its position in the ring. The reaction of 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dithiane gave 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dithiane-1,1,4,4-tetraone, whereas 3,5-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane-1,1-dione was unexpectedly obtained from 3,5-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane. 2,6-Bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane and 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-diselenane decomposed under the oxidation conditions.     

1H and 13C NMR study of the effects exerted by an oxirane ring in the epoxybicyclo-[2.2.2]octane series

The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of 2,3-disubstituted exo-5,6- and endo-5,6-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes, and the corresponding alkanes, have been investigated to determine the effects exerted by an oxirane ring. The ¹H NMR study showed that the anti protons, H-7a and H-8a, are significantly shielded and the syn protons, H-7s and H-8s, are deshielded, although to a smaller extent, by the exo-oxirane. An endo-oxirane has practically no effect on the same protons. The stereochemistry of epoxybicyclo[2.2.2]octanes is, thus, easily deduced from ¹H NMR data. The ¹³C NMR study of the epoxy compounds provided an estimate of the value of α, β, γ syn and γ anti effects (to the epoxide oxygen) of an oxirane ring. In these rigid bicyclic molecules, of known geometry, the γ syn and the γ anti effects are of the same value, even though the dihedral angles are very different (0° and 120°).     

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°.     

Regioselective Electrophilic Additions of Bicyclo[2.2.n]alk-2-enes Controlled by Remote Epoxide Functions

The electrophilic additions of 2-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride to (1RS,2SR,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 12 ) and (1RS,2SR,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 14 ) were not regioselective under condition of kinetic control. However, good regioselectivity was observed for the addition of 2-nitro-benzenesulfenyl chloride to (1RS,2RS,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 13 ), giving (1RS,2SR,4SR,5RS,6RS)-6-exo-(2-nitrophenylthio)spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2.2′-oxirane]-5-endo-yl chloride ( 24 ) and for the exo addition to (1RS,2RS.4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]oct05-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 15 ), giving preferntially (1RS,2SR,4SR,5RS,6 RS)-6-exo-(2-nitrophenylthio) spiro[bicyxlo[2.2.2]octane-2,2′-oxirane]-5-endo-yl chloride ( 30 ). The facial selectivity (electrophilic exo vs. endo attack on the bucyclic alkene) depended on the relative configuration of the spiroepoxide ring in the bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes 14 and 15 . The exo-epoxide 14 was attacked preferentially (6:1) on the endo face by sulfenyl whereas exo attack was preferred (7:2) in the case of the endo-epoxide 15 . No products resulting from transannular ring expansion of the spiro-epoxide moieties could be detected.     

Epoxidation of Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-endo- and Exodicarboxylic Acid N-Arylimides

Epoxidation of endo- and exo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid N-arylimides with a solution of peracetic acid in anhydrous dioxane affords 5,6-exo-epoxybicycloheptanedicarboxylic acid N-arylimides. The epoxidation reaction is not sensitive to the configuration of the imide fragment, to the character and position of the substituent in the aromatic ring. The reaction is determined only by oxidation conditions.     

Interactions between Oxygen Lone-Pair Orbitals and Double-Bond π-Orbitals in β,γ-Unsaturated,Bicyclic Ketones; a PE-Spectroscopic Investigation

The HE(Iα) photoelectron (PE) spectra of 2,3,5,6-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone ( 12 ), 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone ( 14 ), 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 16 ), and 5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 17 ) have been recorded, Comparison with the PE data of other β,γ-unsaturated ketones and parent alkenes, and with the result of ab initio STO-3G calculations, confirm the existence of significant interactions between the oxygen lone-pair orbital n_o and the double-bond π orbital(s). It is argued that the major contributions to the basis energy shifts and to the cross term between the n_o and π orbitals are due to a ‘through-bond’ mechanism.     

The Reaction of Dihalocarbenes with Quadricyclane

The reactions of difluoro-, dichloro- and dibromocarbene with quadricyclane ( 2 ) were examined. In all cases, conversions were low (4–15%), but three distinct reaction courses were observed: cleavage, 1,2-addition, and 1,4-addition. Difluorocarbene gave mainly 6-endo-(2,2-difluorovinyl)-cis-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene ( 8 ; 52–89% relative yield), together with minor amounts of exo-3,3-difluorotricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]oct-6-ene (7; 13–17%), and 4,4-difluorotetracyclo[3.3.0.0^2,8.0^3,6]octane ( 5 ; 2–4%). Dichlorocarbene gave analogous products, but in relative yields of 35 ( 17 ), 51 ( 11 ), and 12% ( 16 ). The product 11 of 1,2-endo addition underwent further rearrangement to its allylic derivative 12 . A small amount of 1,2-endo addition also occurred (2% of 14 / 15 ). Dibromocarbene gave predominantly products derived from rearrangement of the 1,2-exo (61% of 20 / 21 ) and 1,2-endo adducts (10% of 23 / 24 ). In addition, a significant amount of 4,4-dibromotetracyclo[3.3.0.0^2,8.0^3,6]octane ( 25 ; 21%) was formed. The cleavage product, 6-endo-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-cis-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene ( 26 ) was also observed (7%). The yields and product compositions were compared to those obtained from norbornadiene ( 1 ) and found to be entirely different (Table 1), for example no cleavage occurred with difluorocarbene.     

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.     

Novel glass-forming liquid crystals V. Nematic and chiral-nematic systems with an elevated glass transition temperature

The formerly implemented molecular design concept behind glass-forming liquid crystals (gLCs) was generalized by increasing the volume of the non-mesogenic central core, with an attendant increase in the number of nematic pendants, using 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid as the bridging unit. New nematic gLCs were synthesized and characterized, showing an elevation in T_g by 30 to 40°C with no definite trend in T_c over the benzene, cis, cis-cyclohexane, and exo, endo-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene base cores. The exo, exo-configured gLC showed a higher T_g and a higher T _c than the exo, endo-counterpart. Morphological characterization with X-ray diffractometry revealed the non-crystalline nature of pristine samples and the morphological stability of thermally processed gLC films against recrystallization for six months. Nematic gLC films were prepared for characterization by FTIR linear dichroism, resulting in an orientational order parameter in the range 0.52 to 0.63. A chiral-nematic gLC derived from exo, exo-bicyclo[2.2.2.]oct-7-ene also showed an elevation in T_g by 10 to 20°C over the cyclohexane-based systems reported previously. With (S)-(-)-1-phenylethylamine as the chiral moiety, the left-handed, chiral-nematic gLC film yielded a selective reflection band centred around 375 nm. Tunability of selective reflection from the UV to visible region was demonstrated by mixing the chiral-nematic and nematic gLCs at varying ratios.