Pyramidalized double bonds containing endoperoxide linkages: photooxygenation of dimethyl cis-3,8-dihydroheptalene-3,8, dicarboxylate

Diels-Alder cycloaddition utilizing singlet oxygen as the dienophile with dimethyl cis-3,8-dihydroheptalene-3,8-dicarboxylate (5) has been investigated, and monoaddition product 7 has been isolated. The addition of a second singlet oxygen to the cycloheptatriene unit in 7 gave syn- bis(norcaradiene) bis(endoperoxide) 4. 1H NMR spectral studies and theoretical calculations indicate the increased pyramidalization in syn-4 compared with carbon analogue. The increased pyramidalization results from hyperconjugation between the central π-bond and the four adjacent C-O bonds and by rehybridization at C3, C4, C5, and C6. Furthermore, the increased reactivity for syn-4, which is probably arising from further folding of the central double bond, is also in agreement with theoretical calculations.