SummaryThe cycloadditions of methyl propynoate and methyl vinyl ketone to 5,6-dimethylidene-2-norbornanone (6) are 'para 'regio~elective~). A smaller 'para Lregioselectivity is observed for the addition of methyl propynoate to 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone (10). No regioselectivity is observed with 5,6-dimethylidene2exo-norbornyl alcohol (3), acetate (5) and 5,6-dimethylidene-2 exo-bicyclo[2.2.2]0~-tanol(9). PMO arguments based on the shape of the HOMO'S and subHOMO's of the dienes allow to rationalize these observations. Unpredictable 'para-or 'metat regioselectivities are found for the Diels-Alder additions of 5,6-dimethylidene-2en-do-norbornyl alcohol (2), acetate (4) and 5,6-dirnethylidene-2endo-bicyclo[2.2.2]0~-tanol(8). The carbonyl group ofP,y-unsaturated ketones such as 6 and 10 can act as an electron donating homoconjugated substituent. The n(CO)++o[C( l),C(2)]t+x [C(5),C(6)] hyperconjugative interaction can override the usual electron-withdrawing effect of this function.
~~Introduction. -The Diels-Alder reactivity of an exocyclic s-cis-butadiene6) grafted onto norbornane [2] [3] and bicyclo[2.2.2]octane [ 11 [4] skeletons (s. 1 and 7, resp.) can be affected by remote substitution of the bicyclic systems. The carbonyl group in 5,6-dimethylidene-2-norbornanone (6) and in 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicycIo[2.2.2]0~-tanone (10) causes a significant rate retardation effect on the cycloadditions of the diene to strong dienophiles. We report now on the regioselectivity of the Diels-Alder additions of the homoconjugated dienones 6 and 10, and of the related endo-and exo-alcohols 2,8, 3 and 9, and acetates 4 and 5.Since our exocyclic dienes are grafted onto rigid bicyclic skeletons, geometry and steric factors should not play a dominant role in determining the regioselectivity