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-oxabicyclo2.2.1]bept-5-en-2-one ((+)- 1 ) and (+)-(1R, 2S,4R)-2-cyano-7-oxabicyclo2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yul acetate ((+)- 4 ). It involves the diastereoselective formation of a brucine complex with the corresponding cyanhydrine mixture.