Base-Induced Solvolyses of [3.2.1]Bicyclic α,α′-Dichloro Ketones − 1,3-Transposition and Ring-Contraction

Abstract

2,4-Dichlorobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one (1) and its spirocyclopropane (4) and 8-oxa analogues (15, 16) react with methanolic sodium methoxide to furnish bicyclic α-oxo-acetals (3b, 5b, 17, 18) through an enolization/ionization mechanism. With trifluoroethanol/sodium trifluoroethoxide, the corresponding trifluoroethyl acetals (3a and 5a) are formed. Basic hydrolysis affords 2-endo-hydroxynorbornene-2-exo-carboxylic acid (20x) and the 7-oxa analogues (22x, 23x), presumably through benzilic acid rearrangement of the α-diketones.