Expedient Preparation and Enantiomerization of Optically Pure Dicyclopentadienone (Tricyclo [5.2.1.0^2,6] deca-4,8-dien-3-one)

Abstract

Expedient synthesis of optically pure (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of dicyclopentadienone (1; tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-4,8-dien-3-one) has been developed via the asymmetric resolution of the corresponding dienol mediated by lipase in organic solvents. The interconversion (enantiomerization) of both enantiomers has also been achieved by employing the Wharton reaction.