C3‐Symmetric Tricyclo[2.2.1.02,6]heptane‐3,5,7‐triol

A straightforward access to a hitherto unknown C ₃‐symmetric tricyclic triol both in racemic and enantiopure forms has been developed. Treatment of 7‐tert ‐butoxynorbornadiene with peroxycarboxylic acids provided mixtures of C ₁‐ and C ₃‐symmetric 3,5,7‐triacyloxynortricyclenes via transannular π‐cyclization and replacement of the tert ‐butoxy group. By refluxing in formic acid, the C ₁‐symmetric esters were converted to the C ₃‐symmetric formate. Hydrolysis gave diastereoisomeric triols, which were separated by recrystallization. Enantiomer resolution via diastereoisomeric tri(O ‐methylmandelates) delivered the target triols on a gram scale. The pure enantiomers are useful as core units of dopants for liquid crystals.