Unusual reactivity of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives during the ozonolysis. Part 2

The ozonation of four bornene derivatives, prepared from (R)-(+)-pulegone, which possess a particularly hindered double bond, led to the formation of unexpected products depending on the nature of the solvent. The formation of the corresponding epoxides, ketones with the same skeleton, various lactones and even an allyl alcohol and an allyl chloride (allylic functionalisation) was observed. In two cases, products presenting a pulegone modified skeleton resulting from a Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement were obtained. The structure of three products was confirmed by crystallographic X-ray analysis. Mechanisms taking into account the rigid and congested structure of the reactants explain these results. The most striking steps were backed up by theoretical calculations.