π-Facial Selectivity in 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of α-Methylidene-γ-lactone Substituted by 4-Methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yl Group in γ-Position

Diastereoselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of benzyl azide, diazomethane, a nitrile oxide and a nitrile imine to α-methylidene-γ-lactone dipolarophile was effectively controlled by a bulky γ-substituent, 4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yl in γ-position of the dipolarophile. The dipoles added from the less hindered face of the double bond with an excellent selectivity. Enantiomerically pure dipolarophile was prepared from the easily available (S)-5-oxotetrahydrohydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid.