(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dibromo-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.0^1,3]dodec-9-ene

Abstract

The title compound, C16H24Br2, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from two fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring from the reaction of β-himachalene with dibromo­carbene. The six-membered ring shows a screw-boat conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the mean planes through the rings is 57.9 (4)°. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects.