Synthesis of ‘inside–outside’ medium-sized rings via ring-closing metathesis

Functionalized and unfunctionalized dienes were synthesized from lactones 7 and 6, respectively, which were subjected to ring-closing metathesis (RCM) using Grubbs’ catalysts. These dienes provide a systematic study of the stereochemical requirements for efficient cyclization. Moreover, it has been established that, within a uniquely defined oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane template, medium sized rings bearing an ‘in–out’ intrabridgehead stereochemical relationship can been synthesized in good yield.