Construction of bicyclic systems containing an oxygen bridge by isomerization of cyclic epoxy alcohols

Abstract

A novel method for constructing a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton was developed. The substrates, namely cis-3,4-epoxy-1-cyclohexanol derivatives, were prepared from the corresponding 3-cyclohexen-1-ol derivatives via a stereoselective epoxidation reaction using a vanadium catalyst. Upon heating with lithium iodide in propionitrile, the cis-epoxy alcohol was transformed into the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivative in high yield. The reaction proceeds through formation of a lithium alkoxide bearing an iodohydrin moiety, followed by an intramolecular SN2 reaction.