X-Ray crystallographic and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,4-oxadiazin-2-ones derived from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

3,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2H-1,3,4-oxadiazin-2-ones derived from (1R,2S)-ephedrine and (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrine have been synthesized and their conformational properties have been examined. The ephedrine heterocycles 5–7a appear to favor one set of equilibrating conformers while the pseudoephedrine heterocycles 5–7b exist as multiple conformers at room temperature. The observed conformational behavior of these heterocycles is attributed to allylic strain and a gauche effect arising from the torsional energy barrier between the lone pair electrons of the N3- and N4-nitrogens.