π-Face diastereoselection: stereochemistry and reactivity of reduction reactions on conformationally rigid substrates: 5-X-adamantan-2-ones and trans-10-X-decal-2-ones

Stereochemistry and relative rates kax and keq of reduction reactions on title compounds have been measured under four different reaction conditions (NaBH4 in i-PrOH, LiBH4 and NaAlH4 in THF and LiAlH4 in Et2O). Reaction sensitivities show that the Group III element has a prominent role in determining the structure of the transition state shape.