A novel bornane synthesis by an old idea.

Aiming at a synthesis of spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dienes with a carbon substituent at C-4, we investigated solvolysis reactions of the thiatricycle 2, obtained from spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene (1) and thiophosgene by [4 + 2] cycloaddition. With methanol or ethanol a mixture of the esters 7 and 8 was formed. Desulfurization of the thionoesters 8 gave methyl and ethyl spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-4-carboxylate (10a,b). The corresponding alcohol (11) was prepared from 10b by LiAlH(4) reduction. Ethenetetracarbonitrile combined with the 4-substituted spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dienes to give the [4 + 2] cycloadducts 12a-c. Diels-Alder reaction between 11 and 2-chloroacrylonitrile afforded the spiro(bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-7,1'-cyclopropane) derivative 14a that was transformed in three steps to rac-10-hydroxycamphor (17). This synthesis of a bornane derivative opens opportunity for variations and thus may find further applications.