Heterotricyclodecane XXVII. Ein weiterer Zugang zu 2,6-Dioxatricyclo [3.3.2.03,7]decan

A Further Approach to 2,6-Dioxatricyclo[3.3.2.0^3,7]decane A further synthesis of 2,6-dioxatricyclo[3.3.2.0^3,7]decane ( 10 ) is described by bridging the 9-oxabicyclo[4.2.1]non-7-en-3endo-ol ( 9 ). The latter compound was prepared by ring expansion starting from the known 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-on ( 1 ).     

Tricyclo [3.3.2.03,7]decan (9-Homo-nor-adamantan) Synthese und Umwandlungen

Tricyclo[3.3.2.0^3,7]decane (9-Homo-nor-adamantane). Synthesis and Transformations A synthesis of tricyclo [3.3.2.0^3,7]decane (=9-homo-nor-adamantane; 1 ), which belongs to the adamantaneland, a family of nineteen isomeric C₁₀H₁₆ hydrocarbons, is described, as well as derivatives thereof. Treatment of protoadamantan-5endo-ol (11) with either thionyl chloride or phosphorus pentachloride yielded under rearrangement the chloride 18 , and solvolysis of the 5endo-chloro-protoadamantane (16) led to the acetate 26, 18 and 26 having both the tricyclo [3.3.2.0^3,7]decane skeleton. Subsequent transformations gave the title compound 1 as well as the corresponding olefin 8 .     

Heterodiamantane und strukturell verwandte Verbindungen. III.. Pentacyclische diäther der C11-reihe. 5, 13-Dioxapentacyclo-[6.5.0.02,6.03,12.04,9]tridecan, 4, 13-dioxapentacyclo [6.4.1.02,7.03,10.05,9]tridecan und 3, 10-dioxapentacyclo [7.3.1.02,7.04,12.06,11]tridecan

Heterodiamantanes and Structurally Related Compounds. Part III. The Pentacyclic C₁₁-Diethers 5, 13-Dioxapentacyclo [6.5.0.0^2,6.0^3,12.0^4,9]tridecane, 4, 13-Dioxapentacyclo [6.4.1.0^2,7.0^3,10.0^5,9]tridecane, and 3, 10-Dioxapentacyclo [7.3.1.0^2,7.0^4,12.0^6,11]tridecane In connection with the studies on heterodiamantanes and structurally related compounds the three novel pentacyclic diethers 3 – 5 were prepared starting from the cyclopentadienone dimer 6 . All four compounds have as common features a central carbocyclic 6-membered ring with four axial alkyl substituents and two oxygen functions in 1, 4 position. The required eleventh C-atom was introduced by dichlorocarbene addition either to 6 ( → 7 ) (Scheme 2) or to 29 ( → 28 ) (Scheme 4). Diether 3 was obtained by reduction of 26 (Scheme 2), a suitable precursor prepared either by intramolecular addition ( 24 → 26 ; Scheme 2) or substitution ( 30 → 26 , 31 → 26 ; Scheme 4), as well as by direct substitution ( 44 → 3 , 42 → 3 ; Scheme 5). Diether 4 was the product of a direct substitution ( 39 → 4 , 36 → 4 ; Scheme 5). The synthesis of diether 5 was achieved from the addition product 51 (resulting from the alcohols 47 and 48 ; Scheme 6). Diether 4 is the thermodynamically least stable of the three diethers 3 – 5 . It was easily isomerized to 5 on treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid in benzene whereas 3 and 5 remained unchanged under these conditions.     

A New Method for the Preparation of Intermediates for 2,6‐Substituted Anthrapyridazones

A new method for the preparation of 2‐substituted 6‐chloro‐2,7‐dihydro‐3H‐dibenzo[de ,h ]cynnoline‐3,7‐diones has been developed. The compounds have been obtained in an original three‐step procedure comprising the oxidation of 1‐methyl‐9,10‐anthraquinones with periodate or permanganate/brominating reagent systems, cyclization to 6‐chloro‐2,7‐dihydro‐3H‐dibenzo[de ,h ]cynnoline‐3,7‐dione, and selective alkylation thereof. The selected processes were applied in the efficient scale‐up of specific 2,6‐substituted 2,7‐dihydro‐3H‐dibenz[de ,h ]cinnolin‐3,7‐dione derivatives, currently being investigated pre‐clinically as anticancer agents.     

Thermische Umlagerung von Propargyloxy-cycloheptatrien-Derivaten

The thermal rearrangement of 7 -propargyloxy-cycloheptatriene in decane solution at 180°C gave bicyclo[3.3.2]deca-3,7,9-trien-2-one ( 13 ) and the unstable 2,7-dihydro-cyclohepta[ b ]-pyran ( 12 ) (Scheme 2). The structures of these compounds were determined mainly by NMR. spectroscopy. Derivatives of 13 were also identified by comparison with known compounds (Scheme 3). Possible mechanisms for the formation of 13 and 12 are outlined in Schemes 5 and 6 respectively. The thermal rearrangement of 2-propargyloxy-cycloheptatrienone ( 21 ) gave, in high yield, 2-methyl-8H-cyclohepta[b]furan-8-one ( 22 ) (Scheme 7).     

The structure of tricyclo[3.3.2.0]decane (hexahydrobullvalene) – A gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) study

The molecular structure of tricyclo[3.3.2.0^2.8]decane (hexahydrobullvalene) has been determined experimentally by gas-phase electron diffraction as well as by quantum chemical calculations. The bond lengths (twofold standard deviations in parentheses) in the skeleton [1.496(7) in the cyclopropane ring, 1.527(10) adjacent to it, 1.550(22) for the central bonds in the bridges and 1.548(16) Å for the bonds originating from the singular bridgehead] all can be explained in terms of the features of this cage hydrocarbon. All three CCC valence angles [113.0(8)° at the singular bridgehead, 112.8(12) adjacent to it and 122.3(20) adjacent to the skeletal cyclopropane ring] are larger than the regular tetrahedral angle on an sp³-hybridized carbon atom. The two-carbon bridges between the skeletal cyclopropane ring and the opposite bridgehead are twisted with a dihedral angle of 43(2)°, i.e. significantly less than the approximately 60° in n-butane in its synclinal (gauche) conformation.     

Zur Photochemie von (Z,Z)-2,7-Cyclodecadien-1-on und 4,8-Cyclododecadien-1-on. Synthese und Eigenschaften von Tricyclo[5.3.0.02,8]decan-Systemen

On the Photochemistry of (Z,Z)-2,7-Cyclodecadien-1-one and 4,8-Cyclododecadien-1-one. Synthesis and Properties of Tricyclo[5.3.0.0^2,8]decane Systems Irradiation of (Z,Z)-2,7-cyclodecadien-1-one ( 3 ) yields (Z,Z)-3,7-cyclodecadien-1-one ( 12 ) or tricyclo-[5.3.0.0^2,8]decan-4-one ( 16 ), depending on the reaction conditions. Irradiation of 4,8-cyclododecadien-1-one ( 28 ) results also in a light-induced transannular [2 + 2] cycloaddition, yielding tetracyclo[7.3.0.0^2,100^3,6]dodecan-1-one ( 30 ). Starting from 16 , the preparation of tricyclo[5.3.0.0^2,8]dec-4-ene ( 19 ), tricyclo[5.3.0.0^2,8]dec-4-ene ( 21 ) and tricyclo[5.3.0.0^2,8]deca-3,5-diene ( 24 ) is described. The ¹H-NMR and ¹³C? NMR spectra of the newly prepared compounds are discussed. In the case of 19, 21 , and 24 , the electronic structure is discussed on hand of their PE spectra.     

Nickel(II) Complexes of 1‐Alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane – Synthesis and Solid‐State Structures

Complexes [NiI₃(mpta)₂]I ( 1 ) and [NiI₃(ppta)₂]I ( 2 ) have been synthesized by reaction of nickel(II) halide salts with ‐1‐methyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane iodide (mpta⁺I^?) and 1‐(n‐propyl)‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane bromide (ppta⁺Br^?) respectively. The crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 are described and are similar, with both compounds crystallizing in monoclinic space groups. The geometry about both nickel atoms is that of a trigonal bipyramid with the cationic phosphine ligands found in the axial positions and the iodide ligands arranged in the equatorial plane.     

Density functional study of tricyclo[3,3,1,13,7]decane and tricyclo[3,3,1,13,7]decsilane and their halogen derivatives

The B3LYP/3‐21G* ab initio molecular orbital method from the Gaussian 94 computer program package was applied to study tricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decane and tricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decsilane molecules and their halogen derivatives (1,3,5,7‐tetrahalotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decane and 1,3,5,7‐tetrahalotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decsilane, C₁₀H₁₂X₄, and Si₁₀H₁₂X₄). The optimized structures of these compounds were obtained. Ionization potentials, HOMO and LUMO energies, energy gaps, heats of formation, atomization energies, and vibration frequencies were calculated. These calculations indicate that these molecules are stable and have T_d symmetry. Tricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decsilane and its halogen derivatives (Si₁₀H₁₂X₄) are found to have higher conductivity than that of tricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decane and its halogen derivatives (C₁₀H₁₂X₄). 1,3,5,7‐Tetraflourotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decane (C₁₀H₁₂F₄) and 1,3,5,7‐tetraflourotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decsilane (Si₁₀H₁₂F₄) were found to be the easiest compounds to form and the most difficult to dissociate of all 1,3,5,7‐tetrahalotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decane and 1,3,5,7‐tetrahalotricyclo[3,3,1,1^3,7]decsilane compounds, respectively. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 189–198, 1999     

Five bicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐dienes

A series of five compounds containing the bicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene skeleton are described, namely tetramethyl cis,cis‐3,7‐dihydroxybicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene‐2,4‐exo,6,8‐exo‐tetracarboxylate, C₁₆H₁₈O₁₀, (I), tetramethyl cis,cis‐3,7‐dihydroxy‐1,5‐dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene‐2,4‐exo,6,8‐exo‐tetracarboxylate, C₁₈H₂₂O₁₀, (II), tetramethyl cis,cis‐3,7‐dimethoxybicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene‐2,4‐exo,6,8‐exo‐tetracarboxylate, C₁₈H₂₂O₁₀, (III), tetramethyl cis,cis‐3,7‐dimethoxy‐1,5‐dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene‐2,4‐exo,6,8‐exo‐tetracarboxylate, C₂₀H₂₆O₁₀, (IV), and tetramethyl cis,cis‐3,7‐diacetoxybicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐2,6‐diene‐2,4‐exo,6,8‐exo‐tetracarboxylate, C₂₀H₂₂O₁₂, (V). The bicyclic core is substituted in all cases at positions 2, 4, 6 and 8 with methoxycarbonyl groups and additionally at positions 3 and 7 with hydroxy [in (I) and (II)], methoxy [in (III) and (IV)] or acetoxy [in (V)] groups. The conformations of the methoxycarbonyl groups at positions 2 and 4 are exo for all five compounds. Each C₅ ring of the bicyclic skeleton is almost planar, but the rings are not coplanar, with dihedral angles of 54.93 (7), 69.85 (5), 64.07 (4), 80.74 (5) and 66.91 (7)° for (I)–(V), respectively, and the bicyclooctadiene system adopts a butterfly‐like conformation. Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds exist between the –OH and C=O groups in (I) and (II), with O...O distances of 2.660 (2) and 2.672 (2) Å in (I), and 2.653 (2) and 2.635 (2) Å in (II). The molecular packing is stabilized by weaker C—H...O(=C) interactions, leading to dimers in (I)–(III) and to a chain structure in (V). The structure series presented in this article shows how the geometry of the cycloocta‐2,6‐diene skeleton changes upon substitution in different positions and, consequently, how the packing is modified, although the intermolecular interactions are basically the same across the series.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricycloalkanes at 299 ± 2 K: Effects of ring strain

Relative rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricyclic alkanes have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with cyclohexane of 7.57 × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹² cm³/molec·s): bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 5.53 ± 0.15; bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 14.8 ± 1.0; bicyclo[3.3.0]octane, 11.1 ± 0.6; cis-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.3 ± 1.3; trans-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.8 ± 1.3; cis-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.1 ± 1.4; trans-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.6 ± 1.2; tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane, 11.4 ± 0.4; and tricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane, 23.2 ± 2.1. These data show that overall ring strain energies of ?4–5 kcal mol^?1 have no significant effect on the rate constants, but that larger ring strain results in the rate constants being decreased, relative to those expected for the strain-free molecules, by ratios which increase approximately exponentially with the overall ring strain.     

Intramolekulare Diels-Alder-Additionen in 6-(But-3-enyl)-6-methyl-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-on-Systemen; eine neue Synthese von Twistanderivaten

Alkylation of the sodium salt of mesitol with 2-bromomethyl-buta-1,3-diene ( 7 ) in benzene and subsequent refluxing of the reaction mixture gave 7% 2-methylene-3-butenyl-mesitylether ( 8 ), 12% 5-methylene-1,3,8-trimethyl-tricyclo[4,3,1,0^3,7]-8-decen-2-one ( 9 ) and 44% 9-methylene-1,3,5-trimethyl-tricyclo[4,4,0,0^3,8]-4-decen-2-one ( 10 ), a twistane derivative. The same procedure, when applied to the sodium salt of 2,6-dimethyl-4-methoxyphenol, gave in 73% yield a 26:18:54 mixture of 2,6-dimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl-(2-methylene-3-butenyl)-ether ( 11 ), 1,3-dimethyl-8-methoxy-5-methylene-tricyclo[4,3,1,0^{3, 7}]-8-decen-2-one ( 12 ), and 1,3-dimethyl-5-methoxy-9-methylene-tricyclo[4,4,0,0^{3, 8}]-4-decen-2-one ( 13 ). The tricyclic ketones 9 and 10 , or 12 and 13 , were also obtained on heating 8 or 11 respectively at 176° in decane solution. Alkylation of the sodium salt of 2,6-dimethylphenol with 3-butenylbromide in boiling toluene gave 1,3-dimethyl-tricyclo[4,3,1,0^3,7]-8-decen-2-one ( 17 ) as the only tricyclic product in 8% yield. The structures of the twistane derivatives 10 and 13 as well as those of the ketones 9, 12 and 17 were mainly deduced from spectroscopic data. Furthermore, the ketones 10 and 13 could be converted to the twistane derivatives 20 and 22 , possessing C₂-symmetry. On the other hand, compounds 9 and 17 gave only the asymmetric derivatives 18 and 21 .     

1, 6-Addition von Chlorsulfonylisocyanat. Vorläufige Mitteilung

A 1, 6-addition of sulfonyl chloride isocyanate to 5, 7-dimethyl-8-methylidene-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-en-6-one ( 1 ) produced the new tricyclic skeleton of 4a, 6-dimethyl-2, 5-dioxo-2, 3, 4a, 5, 6, 8a-hexahydro-1H-6, 4-methenoquinoline-1-sulfonyl chloride ( 2 ). The structure of the new aza-tricyclic species has been elucidated by X-ray analysis.     

The synthesis of 2,6-dimethylenetricyclo[3.3.0.03,7]octane

The synthesis of the title compound is reported together with that of 2-methyl-6-methylenetricyclo[3.3.0.0^3,7]octane. During the synthesis a rearrangement of the tricyclo[3.3.0.0^3,7]octane skeleton to the tricyclo[3.2.1.0^3,6]octane system has been observed.     

Cyclization and rearrangements of diterpenoids. VIII. Products of dehydration of (1S,2S,7S,10R,11S,12S)-2,6,6,10,12-pentamethyltetracyclo[10.2.1.01,10.02,7]-pentadecan-11-ol by phosphorus oxychloride

On the dehydration of (1S, 2S, 7S, 10R, 11S, 12S)-2,6,6,10,12-pentamethyltetracyclo[10.2.1.0^1,10.0^2,7]pentadecan-11-ol by phosphorus oxychloride in pyridine a mixture of three hydrocarbons is formed: the known (1R, 2S, 7S, 10S, 11R, 12S, 13S)-2,6,6,10,12-pentamethyltetracyclo[10.2.1.0^1,10.0^2,7.0^11,13]pentadecane and the previously undescribed (1R, 2S, 7S, 10S, 11S)-2,6,6,10,12-pentamethyltetra-cyclo[9.2.2.0^1,10.0^2,7]pentadeca-12-ene and (1R, 2S, 7S, 10S, 11S)-2,6,6,10-tetramethyl-12-methylenetetracyclo[9.2.2.0^1,10.0^2,7]pentadecane, based on a new carbon skeleton.     

Two polycyclic compounds derived from a Diels–Alder reaction

In both 9,10‐di­methoxy‐11‐oxatri­cyclo­[6.2.1.0^2,7]­undeca‐4,9‐diene‐3,6‐diol, C₁₂H₁₆O₅, (I), and 5,6‐di­methoxy‐3,7‐dioxa­tetra­cyclo­[6.4.0.0^2,6.0^4,12]­dodec‐9‐en‐11‐ol, C₁₂H₁₆O₅, (II), the hetero‐oxygen‐containing five‐membered rings have an envelope conformation. The six‐membered rings are in a boat conformation in compound (I), and in (II), one is in a half‐boat and the other is in a slightly distorted boat conformation. The mol­ecules in both compounds interact through classical hydrogen bonds and C—H?O contacts.     

Höhere,kondensierte Ringsysteme. 5. Mitteilung[1]. Makrocyclen mit überbrückten 9, 10-Dihydrophenanthreneinheiten

Starting from 2, 7-diacetyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene, 2, 7-dichloromethyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene was synthesized through a serie of a new compounds. By a modified Wurtz reaction the dichloromethyl compound led to hexahydro-[2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane and decahydro-[2⁵] (2,7) phenanthrenophane. [2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane was obtained by dehydrogena tion of hexahydro-[2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane with Pd/C. The structure of these new ring systems was confirmed by UV.-, NMR.- and mass spectroscopy.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 107. Mitteilung. Zur Photochemie offenkettiger 2,6-bzw. 2,7-Dien-Carbonylverbindungen

The Photochemistry of Open-Chained 2,6- or 2,7-Dien-Carbonyl Compounds On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ > 347 nm) citral (5) and the methyl ketone 10 isomerize to compounds A (7, 19) and B (6, 20) , whereas the phenyl ketone 11 changes into the isomer 24 of type E. Evidence is given that the conversions to A and B may arise from the ³n, π*-state of the 2,6-diene-carbonyl compounds. On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) 5 and 10 yield the isomers A (7, 19) and D (18, 22) , but no products of type B. Furthermore, conversion of 10 to the isomer 21 of type C is observed. Selective ¹n, π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) as well as selective ¹n, π*-excitation (λ > 347 nm) of the 2,7-diene-carbonyl compounds 12 and 13 give rise to isomerization to the compounds F (25, 28) , exclusively. The intramolecular [2 + 2]-photocycloadditions are shown to be triplet processes. UV.-irradiation (λ > 280 nm) of compounds F (25, 28) furnishes the isomeric products G (26, 29) which photoisomerize to oxetanes of type H (27, 30).     

Formation of Heptaleno[1,2-c]furans and Heptaleno[1,2-c]furanones

The dehydrogenation reaction of the heptalene-4,5-dimethanols 4a and 4d , which do not undergo the double-bond-shift (DBS) process at ambient temperature, with basic MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature, leads to the formation of the corresponding heptaleno[1,2-c]furans 6a and 6d , respectively, as well as to the corresponding heptaleno[1,2-c]furan-3-ones 7a and 7d , respectively (cf. Scheme 2 and 8). The formation of both product types necessarily involves a DBS process (cf. Scheme 7). The dehydrogenation reaction of the DBS isomer of 4a , i.e., 5a , with MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature results, in addition to 6a and 7a , in the formation of the heptaleno[1,2-c]-furan-1-one 8a and, in small amounts, of the heptalene-4,5-dicarbaldehyde 9a (cf. Scheme 3). The benzo[a]heptalene-6,7-dimethanol 4c with a fixed position of the C?C bonds of the heptalene skeleton, on dehydrogenation with MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂, gives only the corresponding furanone 11b (Scheme 4). By [²H₂]-labelling of the methanol function at C(7), it could be shown that the furanone formation takes place at the stage of the corresponding lactol [3-²H₂]- 15b (cf. Scheme 6). Heptalene-1,2-dimethanols 4c and 4e , which are, at room temperature, in thermal equilibrium with their corresponding DBS forms 5c and 5e , respectively, are dehydrogenated by MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ to give the corresponding heptaleno[1,2-c]furans 6c and 6e as well as the heptaleno[1,2-c]furan-3-ones 7c and 7e and, again, in small amounts, the heptaleno[1,2-c]furan-1-ones 8c and 8e , respectively (cf. Scheme 8). Therefore, it seems that the heptalene-1,2-dimethanols are responsible for the formation of the furan-1-ones (cf. Scheme 7). The methylenation of the furan-3-ones 7a and 7e with Tebbe's reagent leads to the formation of the 3-methyl-substituted heptaleno[1,2-c]furans 23a and 23e , respectively (cf. Scheme 9). The heptaleno[1,2-c]furans 6a, 6d , and 23a can be resolved into their antipodes on a Chiralcel OD column. The (P)-configuration is assigned to the heptaleno[1,2-c]furans showing a negative Cotton effect at ca. 320 nm in the CD spectrum in hexane (cf. Figs. 3–5 as well as Table 7). The (P)-configuration of (–)- 6a is correlated with the established (P)-configuration of the dimethanol (–)- 5a via dehydrogenation with MnO₂. The degree of twisting of the heptalene skeleton of 6 and 23 is determined by the Me-substitution pattern (cf. Table 9). The larger the heptalene gauche torsion angles are, the more hypsochromically shifted is the heptalene absorption band above 300 nm (cf. Table 7 and 8, as well as Figs. 6–9).     

Synthesis and Chiroptical Properties of Dimethyl 8,12-Diphenylbenzo[d]heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate

6,10-Diphenylbenz[a]azulene ( 3 ) was reacted with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) in the presence of 2 mol-% of [RuH₂(PPh₃)₄] in MeCN at 100° to yield a 7:1 mixture of dimethyl 2,6-diphenyl-9,10-benzotricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,7]dodeca-2,4,6,9,11-pentaene-11,12-dicarboxylate ( 4 ) and dimethyl 8,12-diphenylbenzo[d]heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate ( 5 ; Scheme 2). The tricycle 4 , when heated in DMF at 150° for 1 h led to the formation of 81.5% of the heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate 5 and 15% of the starting azulene 3 . No rearrangement of tricycle 4 was observed, when it was heated at temperatures up to 180° in pseudocumene. The heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate 5 was easily separated into its antipodes (PM)-and (MP)- 5 on a Chiracel column (cf. Fig. 2). On heating at 150° for 1 h, (MP)- 5 showed no racemization at all. The Ru-catalyzed reaction of benz[a]azulene ( 6 ) with ADM led to the formation of dimethyl 9,10-benzotricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,7]dodeca-2,4,6,9,11-pentaene-11,12-dicarboxylate ( 7 ; Scheme 3). However, the formation of the corresponding heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate could not be observed.