Novel asymmetric synthesis of a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivative by an efficient retro-Diels-Alder strategy

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(96)02025-4

The first preparation of enantiomerically pure bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2-one-6-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), a valuable synthetic intermediate, is described. The synthesis features a retro-Diels-Alder reaction as a key step. Conditions which allow for a high yielding thermal conversion of 3 to 4 are described.