Diastereoselective manipulations of bicyclo[m.1.0]alkane derivatives. 2. Nucleophilic additions to the carbonyl carbons of bicyclot[m.1.0]alkan-2-ones

Enantiomerically enriched bicyclo[m.1.0]alkan-2-ones having larger ring sizes between five and 16 members were prepared and subjected to additions of nucleophiles to the carbonyl carbon. Such additions were efficient and highly diastereoselective for all nucleophiles for bicycles with ring sizes greater than seven. Diastereoselectivity for these additions is rationalized by assuming early transition states and exposure of the same carbonyl face to the ring exterior in the vast majority of populated conformers for each bicyclic ketone.