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

This paper describes mechanistic studies on the ozonolysis of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives 6 and 7 obtained from (R)-(+)-pulegone through the cyclopentadiene 5 and its Diels–Alder reaction with maleic anhydride. The ozonolysis of the tricyclic diol 7 led to the ketone 8 with the same skeleton while the anhydride 6 gave rise to the epoxide 10 and the bis-lactone 11. The structure of 8, 10 and 11 are confirmed by X-ray analysis. These unexpected results are discussed in terms of a π complex between ozone and the double bond.