Synthesis of paddlanes having a bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane core. The consequences of olefin metathesis involving unsaturated 1,3-dicarboxylate esters of varying chain length

Described herein is the synthesis of an homologous series of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylate esters featuring ω-alkenols of differing chain length (n=4–8) for the purpose of evaluating their ability to undergo ring-closing metathesis/paddlane formation in the presence of Grubbs’ catalyst.