7-OXABICYCLOHEPTANE PROSTAGLANDIN INTERMEDIATES AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME

Abstract: Optically active 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin intermediates are provided having the general structure wherein one of R¹ and R² is wherein the dotted line is an optional double bond and wherein the dotted line is a double bond then R¹ and R² are and the other is hydrogen. A method for preparing the above intermediates is also provided.

Description: 7-OXABICYCLOHEPTANE PROSTAGLANDIN INTERMEDIATES AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME The present invention relates to optically active intermediates for use in preparing 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs and to a method for preparing such intermediates. U. S. Patent No. 4.413,054 to Sprague dated March 6, 1979 discloses 7-oxabicycloheptane and 7-oxabicycloheptene prostaglandin analogs which are prepared by the following methods. In a first method maleic anhydride is made to react with an unsubstituted or substituted furan of the formula EMI1.1 to form a compound of the formula EMI2.1 which is reduced to form EMI2.2 The above compound is then further reduced to form EMI2.3 Treatment of the above compound with diisobutylaluminum hydride or diisobutylborane yields EMI2.4 Submitting compound A to Wittig reaction conditions produces EMI2.5 Compound C is then acylated and then hydrolyzed to form the aldehyde EMI3.1 alkyl All of the above compounds are in the form of racemic mixtures. Aldehyde D is subjected to a Wittig reaction to form a compound of the structure EMI3.2 alkylene-COOH which is eserified to form the corresponding lower alkyl ester. The hydroxymethyl group in the 3-position of the ester is then oxidized to obtain the aldehyde EMI3.3 lower alkyl Aldehyde F which is in the form of a racemic mixture is employed to form 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs. In accordance with the present invention , a method is provided for forming the aldehyde F also depicted graphically as EMI4.1 wherein Ra and Rb is -CH2-CH=CH-lower altRlene -e00 lower alkyl and the other is -CHO in the form of its optically active isomer as opposed to a racemic mixture of two enantiomers as disclosed by Sprague in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054. The optically active aldehyde F(a) is then employed to form optically active 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs. for example, using the technique described by Sprague in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054. In carrying out the method of the invention as described hereinafter several novel optically active intermediates are formed having the following formula EMI4.2 (cis endo) wherein one of R1 and R2 is EMI5.1 and the other is hydrogen, and includes the following compounds: : EMI5.2 [3aR-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexylZoxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzOfuran EMI5.3 (cis exo) [3aS-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl- 2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI6.1 (cis em) [3aS-(3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7-epoxy- isobenzofuran EMI6.2 [3aR-(3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7-epoxy- isobenzofuran EMI6.3 (cis endo) [3aR-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl- 2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI7.1 [3aS-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha; ;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl2- (l-methylethyl) cyclohexyl] oxy] -4, 7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI7.2 (cis endo) [3aS-(3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7- epoxyisobenzofuran EMI7.3 (cis endo) [3aR-(3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7- epoxyisobenzofuran EMI8.1 [1S-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI8.2 [1S-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI8.3 [1R-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha; ;]-Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI9.1 [1R-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]4, 7-epoxyisobenzofuran Also included among the novel optically active intermediates formed during the method of this invention are -compounds having the following formula: EMI9.2 (depicted graphically as EMI10.1 wherein one of R1 and R2 is EMI10.2 and the other is H, and includes the following compounds: : EMI10.3 (cis endo) [1S-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-1,3,a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1] heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI11.1 [1S-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI11.2 [1R-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran EMI12.1 (cis endo) [1R-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha; ;]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1] heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran The method of the present invention fpr forming optically active or chiral intermediates for use in preparing optically active 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs My be summarized in the following reaction sequences. EMI13.1 <SEP> # <SEP> Acetal <SEP> # <SEP> Resolution <SEP> # <SEP> Transacetali <SEP> Formation <SEP> by <SEP> recry- <SEP> zation <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> stallization <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> 1-menthol <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> cis <SEP> exo <SEP> or <SEP> III <SEP> (or <SEP> V) <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> RÚ <SEP> or <SEP> Rê <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> cis <SEP> endo <SEP> + <SEP> -O-(-)-menthol <SEP> and <SEP> the <tb> <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> II <SEP> or <SEP> III <tb> <SEP> (or <SEP> V <SEP> or <SEP> VI) <tb> <SEP> II <SEP> (or <SEP> VI) <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> Hydrogenolysis <SEP> # <SEP> Homologation <SEP> # <SEP> Hydrolysis <tb> <SEP> reaction <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> RÚ <SEP> or <SEP> Rê <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> R <SEP> and <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> R5 <SEP> or <SEP> R6 <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> is <SEP> -O-CH2-# <SEP> R4 <SEP> is <SEP> OH <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> CH2OH <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> other <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> -CH2=CH-OCH3) <tb> <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> IV <SEP> or <SEP> VII <SEP> J <SEP> K <tb> EMI14.1 <SEP> # <SEP> Wittig <SEP> # <SEP> oxidation <tb> <SEP> reaction <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> (wherein <SEP> one <SEP> of <SEP> R <SEP> and <SEP> R4 <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> R7 <SEP> and <SEP> R8 <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> is <SEP> OH <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> -CH2-CH=CH-lower <SEP> alkylene-COCH3 <tb> <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> -CH2OH) <tb> <SEP> L <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> M <tb> <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> (one <SEP> of <SEP> Ra <SEP> and <SEP> Rb <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> -CH2-CH=CH-lower <SEP> alkylene-CO2CH3 <tb> <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> other <SEP> is <SEP> -CHO) <tb> <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> N <tb> The reaction sequence for preparing the optically active antipodes or mirror images of compounds of formulae II, III and IV, namely compounds of formulae V, VI and VII. respectively. may be prepared following the above reaction sequence except that d-menthol is employed in place of the corresponding isomer. EMI16.1 <SEP> Resolution <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> Acetal <SEP> # <SEP> # <SEP> by <SEP> recry <SEP> Formation <SEP> stallization <tb> <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> G <SEP> # <SEP> H <SEP> J <tb> <SEP> 1-methol <tb> <SEP> (100% <SEP> optically <SEP> pure) <SEP> (90% <SEP> optically <SEP> pure) <tb> <SEP> cis <SEP> exo <SEP> or <tb> <SEP> cis <SEP> endo <tb> <SEP> Transacetali- <SEP> # <SEP> Hydrogenolysis <SEP> # <SEP> Ketopinate <tb> <SEP> zation <SEP> ester <tb> <SEP> formation <tb> <SEP> J <SEP> # <SEP> K <SEP> # <SEP> L <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> (R4 <SEP> is <SEP> -O-CH2-# <SEP> (R6 <SEP> is <SEP> OH <SEP> and <SEP> R5 <tb> <SEP> and <SEP> R <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> is <SEP> H) <tb> <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <SEP> (90% <SEP> optically <SEP> pure) <tb> EMI17.1 <SEP> # <SEP> Hydrolysis <SEP> # <SEP> Homologation <SEP> # <SEP> Hydrolysis <tb> <SEP> reaction <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> # <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> M <SEP> N <tb> (wherein <SEP> Rê <SEP> is) <SEP> (100% <SEP> optically <SEP> (R7 <SEP> is <tb> <SEP> active) <SEP> CH2OH <SEP> and <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> or <SEP> (R6 <SEP> is <SEP> OH <SEP> and <SEP> R5 <SEP> R8 <SEP> is <SEP> -CH=OH-OCH3) <tb> <SEP> is <SEP> H) <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> and <SEP> RÚ <SEP> is <SEP> H) <tb> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> EMI18.1 <SEP> # <SEP> Wittig <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> reaction <SEP> oxidation <tb> <SEP> # <SEP> # <tb> <SEP> O <SEP> P <tb> (wherein <SEP> R6 <SEP> is <SEP> OH <SEP> and <SEP> R5 <SEP> (R10 <SEP> is <SEP> -CH2-CH=CH-lower <tb> is <SEP> H) <SEP> (optically <SEP> active) <SEP> alkylene-COCH3 <SEP> and <SEP> R9 <tb> <SEP> is <SEP> -CH2OH) <SEP> (optically <tb> <SEP> active) <tb> <SEP> # <tb> (one <SEP> of <SEP> Ra <SEP> is <SEP> -CH2-CH=CH-lower <tb> alkylene-CO2CH3 <SEP> and <SEP> Rb <SEP> is <SEP> -CHO) <tb> (optically <SEP> active) <tb> The method of the present invention for forming optically active or chiral intermediates for use in preparing optically active 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs includes the step of reacting the racemic hemiacetal EMI19.1 wherein one of R and R4 is OH and the other is )a (prepared as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054) with 1-ketopinic acid halide. such as the chloride (prepared as described in U. S. Patent No 4,235,891) employing a molar ratio of G:ketopinic acid chloride of about 0.5:1 to about t:l, in the presence of 4-dimethylamino- pyridine or 4-diethylaminopyridine and an inert solvent such as pyridine or dichloromethane to-form a diastereomeric mixture of the ketopinate ester II and IV (where l-tetopinic acid halide is used). The mixture of diastereomers af formula I is recrystallized, for example, from isopropyl ether to form the optically active isomer II. The reaction sequence for preparing the optically active antipodes or mirror images of compounds of formulae II and IV. namely compounds of formulae III and V, respectively. may be prepared following the above reaction sequence except that d-ketopinic acid halide is employed in place of the corresponding 1-isomer The optically active ketopinate II (IV) or III CV) may then be subjected to ester hydrolysis. for example, by reacting the ketopinate with lithium hydroxide/hydrogen peroxide, to form the optically active hemiacetal EMI21.1 which then undergoes dimethylhydrazone formation by reaction with unsymdimethylhydrazine to form the dimethylhydrazone EMI21.2 EMI22.1 Compound I is then acetylated to form EMI22.2 which is reduced by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium on carbon to form EMI23.1 Compound L is then made to undergo hydrazone hydrolysis, for example, by reacting L with cupric chloride dihydrate in the presence of a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran to form the aldehyde EMI23.2 EMI24.1 The prostaglandin aldehyde analog X (and X where d-tetopinic acid halide is used) may then be employed to prepare 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandins following the procedure as set out in U S. Patent No 4,143,054 to Sprague. Such prostaglandin derivatives are useful in the treatment of thrombolytic disease as explained in the above Sprague patent. The method of the invention is an advance over prior art methods for forming optically active 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandin analogs in that the resolution is performed at a very early stage of the synthesis. preferably on a hemi-acetal intermediate. In the present method. the undesired menthol diastereomer can be separated out and recycled. Thus. in principle. the hemi-acetal intermediate is transformed to a single diastereomer. In carrying out the method of the invention, referring to the first reaction sequence described herein, the raceitic cis-exo or cis-endo hemiacetal EMI24.2 is converted to a diastereomeric mixture of menthol compounds III (or V) and II (or VI) by reacting same with menthol in the presence of trace amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid and an inert solvent such as benzene at reflux temperatures under an inert atmosphere. for example. nitrogen to form a mixture of diasteteomers of formula II or III (or V or VI) which is recrystallized, for example, from methylene chloride-ethyl acetate and thus resolved to form the optically active acetal isomer II or III EMI25.1 (where one of R1 and R2 is -O-menthol and the other is H) The acetal II or III (or V or VI) is allowed to react with benzyl alcohol at elevated temperatures of at least 1100 to form the optically active benzyloxy compound EMI25.2 (wherein one of R1 and R is benzyloxy and the other is H) which is subjected to a hydrogenolysis reaction, for example, by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of palladium on charcoal to form the optically active hemiacetal EMI26.1 (wherein one of R and R4 is OH and the other is H). As indicated, replacement of the menthol compound with the correspondiNg isomer in the reaction sequence produces. instead of the optically active (-) antipodes II or III or V or VI, the corresponding optically active (+) antipodes The hemiacetal J may then be employed to form optically active hemiacetal L by subjecting hemiacetal J to a homologation reaction, for example, by submitting J to Wittig reaction conditions by reacting J with an (alkoxymethyl)tri- phenylphosphonium halide such as (methoxymethyl)- triphenylphosphonium chloride in the presence of an alkylamine like diisopropylamine. a lithium alkyl like n-butyl lithium in an inert organic medium like hexane, tetrahydrofuran or the like. at a temperature in the range of about -10 to 25 C to form optically active compound K EMI27.1 (wherein one of R5 and R6 is CH2OH and the other is -CH=CH-OCH3) Hydrolysis of alcohol compound K in the presence of strong acid such as trifluoroacetic acid produces optically active hemi-acetal L which is then subjected to Wittig reaction conditions and esterification. for example. reaction with a carboxyalkyl triphenylphosphonium halide. such as, triphenylcarboxybutylphosphonium chloride, in the presence of inert solvent, such as DMSO. to form optically an active alcohol which is then reacted with, for example, a diazoalkane like diazomethane. to form the alcohol ester M EMI27.2 (wherein one of R7 and R8 is -CH2-CH=CH-lower alkylene C02CH3 and the other is -CH2OH) The optically active alcohol ester M may then be oxidized, for example, by reaction with chromium oxide with pyridine to form the optically active aldehyde N. Thus, it is seen that the aldehyde N may be prepared from the starting hemiacetal without recourse to any chromatographic purification. The prostaglandin aldehyde analog N may then be employed to prepare 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandins following- the procedure as set out in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054 to Sprague. Such prostaglandin derivatives are useful in the treatment of thrombolytic disease as explained in the above Sprague patent. The wavy line (#) which serves as a linking group for hydrogen in n a nY of the formulae set out herein refers to the fact that the hydrogen atom may be cis exo or cis endo to the oxa bridge. The nucleus in each of the compounds of the invention is depicted as EMI28.1 for matter of convenience; it will also be appreciated that the nucleus in the compounds of the invention may be depicted as EMI28.2 In carrying out the method of the invention. referring to the second reaction sequence described herein the racemic cis-exo hemiacetal EMI29.1 is converted to a diastereomeric mixture of menthol compounds H and J by reacting same with menthol in the presence of trace amounts of p-tdluenesulfonic acid and an inert solvent such as benzene--at reflux temperatures under an inert atmosphere, for example. nitrogen to form a mixture of diastereomers of formula H and J which is recrystallized. for example. from methanol and resolved to form the optically active acetal isomer J EMI30.1 (90% optically pure) The acetal J is allowed to react with benzyl alcohol at elevated temperatures of at least 1100 to form the optically active benzyloxy compound EMI30.2 Cwherei-n R4 is benzyloxy and R is H which is subjected to a hydrogenolysis reaction, for example, by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of palladium on charcoal to form the optically active hemiacetal EMI31.1 (wherein R6 is OH and R5 is H, .90% optically active). The hemiacetal k (90% optically pure) is reacted with l-ketopinic acid halide. such as the chloride (prepared as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,235.891) employing a molar ratio of L:ketopinic acid chloride of about 0.5:1 to about 1:1, in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine or (4-diethylaminopyridine and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) and an inert solvent such as pyridine or dichloromethane to form a ketopinate ester II or III (where l-ketopinic acid halide is used). The reaction sequence for preparing the optically active antipodes of compounds of formulae II and III. namely compounds of formulae IV and V. respectively, may be prepared following the above reaction sequence except that d-ketopinic acid halide is employed in place of the corresponding l-isomer. The optically active ketopinate II (III) may then be subjected to ester hydrolysis. for example, by reacting the ketopinate with lithium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide to form the optically active hemiacetal M EMI32.1 (wherein R6 is OH and R5 is H) (100 optically active}. The hemiacetal X may then be employed to form optically active hemiacetal O by subjecting hemiacetal x to a homologation reaction, for example, by submitting M to Wittig reaction conditions by reacting M with an (alkoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium halide such as (methoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride in the presence of an alkylamine like diisopropylamine, a lithium alkyl like n-butyl lithium in an inert organic medium like hexane, tetrahydrofuran or the like, at a temperature in the range of about -10 to 25 C to form optically active compound N EMI32.2 (wherein R7 is CH2OH and R8 is Hydrolysis of alcohol compound N in the presence of strong acid such as trifluoroacetic acid produces optically active hemiacetal O which is then subjected to Wittig reaction conditions and esterification. for example, reaction with a carboxyalkyl triphenylphosphonium halide, such as. triphenylcarboxybutylphosphonium chloride, in the presence of inert solvent. such as DMSO, to form optically active alcohol which is then reacted with, for example. a diazoalkane like diazomethane, to form the alcohol ester P EMI33.1 (wherein R10 is -CH2-CH=CH-lower alkylene CO2CH3 and R9 is -CH2 OH) The optically active alcohol ester M may then be oxidized. for example. by reaction with chromium oxide with pyridine to form the optically active aldehyde Q. Thus, it is seen that the aldehyde Q may be prepared from the starting hemiacetal without recourse to any chromatogrpahic purification. The prostaglandin aldehyde analog Q may then be employed to prepare 7-oxabicycloheptane prostaglandins following the procedure as set out in U. S. Patent No. 4143.054 to Sprague. Such prostaglandin derivatives are useful in the treatment of thrombolytic disease as explained in the above Sprague patent. The nucleus in each of the compounds of the invention is depicted as EMI34.1 for matter of convenience: it will also be appreciated that the nucleus in the compounds of the invention may be depicted as EMI34.2 The following Examples represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. Examples 1 and 2 [3aS-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexyloxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Isomer I, Example L) and [3aR-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1-[[5methyl-2- (1-methylethyl) cyclohexylloxy]-4 ,7-epoxy- isobenzofuran (Isomer II, Example 2) A solution of (exo)-octahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol prepared as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054 (21 g, 0.13 mole), levo-menthol (21 g, 0.13 mole) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (trace) in benzene (500 ml) was heated at reflux for 24 hours under nitrogen with a Dean-Stark trap containing molecular sieves in the system. The solution was chilled, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate (200 ml), then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from methanol (300 ml) to yield 10 g of [3aR-[l-(lR,2S,5R),3aa,4a,7a,7aa]]-octhydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexyloxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (pure isomer II), m.p. 109-111 C. The mother liquor was concentrated to 100 ml then treated with water to yield 10 g of solid which contained approximately 90% isomer I, that is f3aS-[l-(1R12S,SR),3aa,4a,7a,- 7aa33-octahydro-1-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclo- hexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran and 10% isomer II by C-13 NMR. The mixture was recrystallized from pentane (100 ml) at -400C to yield (after four recrystallizationst s g of product containing 25% isomer II and 95% isomer I. TLC: silica-gel: ether/hexane; Rf = 0.35, vanillin spray and heat. Examples 3 and 4 [3aS-(3a&alpha;4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- benzyloxy-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 3 Isomer A) and [3aR-(3a&alpha;4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- benzyloxy-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 4 Isomer B) A solution of isomer II [3aR-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,- 4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)- cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxy-isobenzofuran (from Example 2) (11.8 g, 0.04 mole) and p-toluene- sulfonic acid (trace) in benzyl alcohol (120 ml) was heated at 1200C under nitrogen for 4 hours. After this time, TLC (silica gel; ether/hexane (1:1)] indicated complete absence of starting material. The mixture was chilled, dissolved in ether, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Excess benzyl alcohol was removed by sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Excess benzyl alcohol was removed by distillation. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on LP-1 silica gel (700 ml) eluting with 20% and 508 ether/hexane mixtures to yield 750 mg of isomer A, an oil, and 7.8 g of isomer B, m.p. 47-500C. These isomers appeared to be positional isomers of the benzyloxy group about the carbon atom. TLC of isomer A: silica gel; hexane/ether (1:1), Rf = 0.25; vanillin spray and heat. TLC of isomer B: silica gel; hexane/ether (1:1), Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. Example 5 [1Ro (1&alpha;,2ss(5Z),3ss,4&alpha;) ) - 7- [3-Formyl-7-oxabicyclo- [2.2.1]hept-2-yll-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester A. [3aS-(3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;)]-Octahydro- 4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol A mixture of isomer A (prepared as described in Example 3) (7.8 g, 0.032 mole), and 10% Pd/C (1 g) in ethyl acetate (250 ml) was stirred under one atmosphere of hydrogen until 707 ml of hydrogen had been consumed. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography with LP-1 silica gel (500 ml) eluting with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:4) to yield 3.8 g of optically active title compound, m.p. 1250C. [a]D = -44 [a]H36g5 = 1220 c = 10 mg/ml MeOH TLC: silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1), Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. B. [1R-(1&alpha;,2ss,3ss,4&alpha;]-3-(Hydroxymethyl)- 2-(2-methoxyethenyl)-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]heptane A slurry of methoxymethyltriphenylphosphonium chloride (28.1 g, 0.082 mole) in toluene (700 ml) was treated with a solution of lithium diisopriylaide (prepared from. 1.6 M n-butyl lithium (51 ml, 0.082 mole) and diisopropylamine (14.25 ml, 0.10 mole) in pentane) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then treated with title A compound (3.7 g, 0.024 mole) dissolved in toluene (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 days. The reaction mixture was then poured into brine, acidified to pH = 5 with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ether (3 x 500 ml). The combined ether extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with hexane/ether and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (300 ml) eluting with pentane/ether (1:1) and ether to yield the desired title B product contaminated with phosphine oxide. This product was distilled in vacuo to yield 3 g of title B compound, b.p. 90 C/0.01 mm. [&alpha;]D = + 44 [&alpha;]365Hg = +138 c = 11 mg/ml MeOH TDC. silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1); Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. C. [4aS-(4a&alpha;,5&alpha;,8&alpha;,8a&alpha;)]-Octahydro-5,8- epoxy-(1H)-benzopyran-3-ol A solution of title B compound (3 g, 0.016 mole) in 20% trifluoroacetic acid/water (30 ml) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 2 hours. The solution was made basic with solid sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous solution was then saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with dichloromethane (6 x 200 ml). The combined extracts were concentrated in vacuo. The resultant oil contained significant amounts of partial hydrolysis products. This material was subjected to a second treatment with TFA as above and after a second workup as before yielded a solid which was recrystallized from cyclohexane to yield 2.4 g of title C compound, m.p. 104-105 C. [a]D = +27.20 Hg = O c = 7.9 mg/ml MeOH 365 D. [1R-[1&alpha;,2ss(5Z),3ss,4&alpha;]]-7-(3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-yl] -5- heptenoic acid and E. [1R-[la,2B(5Z),38,4a]I-7-[3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5 heptenoic acid, methyl ester A slurry of 4-carboxybutyltriphenyiphosphonium bromide (18.8 g, 0.0434 mole) in anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (36 ml) was treated with a solution of freshly prepared dimsyl ion at 150C until an orange coloration persisted. A second equivalent of dimsyl ion was added to ftrm the desired ylide. The deep red mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then treated with title C compound (2.4 g, 0.0141 mole). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours then quenched with a solution of glacial acetic acid (2.58 g) in ether (10 ml). The mixture was poured into brine (1000 ml), acidified to pH = 2 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (5 x 300 ml). The combined extracts were concentrated ia vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 5% sodium bicarbonate and extracted with benzene (2 x 100 ml) and ethyl acetate (2 x 100 ml). The aqueous solution was then acidified to pH = 2 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether (7 x 200 ml). The combined ether extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ether (300 ml) and chilled overnight. The precipitated phosphine salts were removed by filtration. The filtrate containing title D acid was treated with excess diazomethane solution and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was quenched with glacial acetic acid, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on LP-1 silica gel (600 ml) eluting with hexane/ether (1:1) and ether to yield 3 g of title E compound. = +11.2 [&alpha;]Hg365 = O c - 16.9 mg/ml MeOH TLC: silica gel; ether; Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray and heat. F. [lP-[la,25(5Z),3ss,4a]]-7-[3-Formyl-7- oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester A solution of pyridine (10.75 ml, 0.133 mole) in anhydrous dichloromethane (350 ml) was treated portionwise with chromium trioxide (6.68 g, 0.067 mole) then stirred vigorously at room temperature for 30 minutes. The red mixture was then treated with dry celite (20 g) followed by title E compound (3 g, 0.0113 mole) dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then filtered through celite. The filtrate was washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate (3 x 100 ml), 10% hydrochloric acid (2 x 250 ml), 5% sodium bicarbonate (1 x 200 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ether, treated with carbon and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to yield 2.9 g of title aldehyde. TLC: silica gel; hexane/ether (1:1); Rf = 0.5; vanillin spray and heat. Examples 6 and 7 [3aS-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Isomer I, Example l6) and [3aR-[1-(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Isomer II, Example 7) A mixture of (endo)-octahydro-4,7-epoxyiso- benzofuran-l-ol (prepared as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,143,054) (26.6 g, 0.17 mole), menthol (26.6 g, 0.17 mole) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (trace) was prepared in benzene (1400 ml). This mixture was heated at reflux for 18 hours under N2 with a Dean-Stark trap containing molecular sieves in the system. The mixture was cooled, washed with 5% NaHCO3 (500 ml) and concentrated yielding crystalline crude material. This was dissolved in hot MeOH (900 ml) and allowed to cool. Example 6 (Isomer Ir compound (20.5 g) crystallized out first and concentration of the filtrate to 500 ml yielded an additional 2 g of Example 6 compound for a total of 22.5 g,m.p. 160-162 . Isomer II (Example 7) was obtained by further concentrations of the mother liquor removing small amounts of mixed samples containing isomer I. When the percentage of I in the residue was > 10% (as estimated by C-13 NMR) recrystallization of this from MeOB gave 17.8 g of pure Isomer II, m.p. 88-900C. Example 8 [3aS-(3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7- epoxyisobenzofuran A mixture of Example 6 Isomer I compound (10 g, 0.034 mole) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (trace) was prepared in benzyl alcohol (100 ml) and heated at 120 for 4 hours. The mixture was cooled and partitioned between water and hexane. The hexane layer was washed with water (4 x 500 ml), treated with Norite, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to yield crude title compound which was recrystallized from EtOAc to yield 8.3 g of title benzyl acetal compound, m.p. 108-110 . Example 9 [1S-[1&alpha;,2&alpha;(5Z)3&alpha;,4&alpha;]]-7-[3-Formyl-7-oxabicylo- [2. 2.l]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester A. [3aS-(3aa,4ss,iss,7aa)]-Octahydro- 4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol A mixture of Example 8 compound (18.03 g, 73.3 mmole) and 10% palladium on charcoal (1.8 g) was prepared in ethyl acetate (200 ml) and hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure until 1 mole of H2 had been consumed (X1 hour, 1641 ml). The catalyst was removed by filtration and, after concentration of the filtrate, 11.5 g of crystalline title hemiacetal m.p. 120-130 was obtained. Recrystallization from cyclohexane-benzene yielded 10.2 g of title A compound, m.p. 1320 [a]D = -790. C=10 mg/ml, MeOH. B. [1S-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)-2-(2-Methoxyethenyl) 3-hydroxymethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptene Lithium diisopropylamide (from 96 mmole of n-butyl Li (l.6 mmole/ml) in hexane and 120 mmole of diisopropylamide (16.8 ml)) was prepared under anhydrous conditions and dissolved in dry TEF (20 ml). This was added to a mixture of triphenylmethoxymethylphosphonium chloride (33 g, 96 mmole) and dry toluene (450 ml) at 0o under argon with mechanical stirring. After stirring the resulting red ylide (nearly everything dissolved) for 30 minutes at 0 , the title A hemiacetal (5.0 g, 32 mmole) in powdered form was added via a solids addition device and the resulting mixture stirred at 200 for 5 hours. The reaction was quenched by addition of HOAc (96 mmole) and poured into brine (1 Lr. This was extracted with ether (3 x 300 ml), the extracts dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to yield an oil. Purification by flash chromatography on LP-l silica gel (500 ml) eluting with 50/50 ether/pentane to start and finishing with ether gave 4.8 g of enolether which on distillation (b.p. 107-112 @ 0.001 mm) gave 3.8 g of pure enolether containing ¯5% (by NMR) unchanged title B compound. C. [4aS-(4a&alpha;,5ss,8ss,8a&alpha;)]-Octahydro-5,8 epoxy-(1H)-benzopyran-3-ol A mixture of crude title B compound (containing ¯5% title B compound) (6.1 g) and trifluoroacetic acid (20% in H2O, 100 ml) was prepared and rapidly stirred under argon at 250 for 2 hours. The acid was decomposed with solid NaHCO3, and the neutral mixture saturated with salt and extracted with CH2C12 (6 x 300 ml). The extracts were dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to yield an oil which contains significant amounts of partial hydrolysis products. This material was subjected to a second treatment with TFA as above and after a second work up yielded 5.7 g of product which consisted of title C compound contaminated with title B compound. These two materials were separated by flash chromatography on LP-1 silica gel (600 ml) using 70/30 ether/pentane as the eluent. Yield of pure title C compound 3.75 g [&alpha;]D = + 15 . C = 8.3 mg/ml, MeOH. D. [lS-[la,2a(5Z) ,3a,4a) ]-7-[3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-yl]- 5-heptenoic acid and E. [1S-[1&alpha;,2&alpha;(5Z),3&alpha;,4&alpha;]]-7-[3-(Hydroxy methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl] 5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester A mixture of triphenylcarboxybutylphosphonium ylide was prepared in dry DMSO (60 ml) from triphenylcarboxybutylphosphonium bromide (29.3 g, 66 mmole) and freshly prepared dimsyl ion at 25 under argon. To this was added title C compound (3.75 g, 22 mmole) dissolved in DMSO (10 ml) and the resulting mixture stirred at 250 for 2 hours. The mixture was quenched by HOAc (66 mmole) in ether (5 ml) and then poured into brine (1 L? and extracted with EtOAc (4 x 300 ml). The extracts were dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to yield an oil which was shaken with saturated NaHCO3 to separate acidic products from triphenylphosphine oxide. This mixture was extracted with benzene (3 x 100 ml) followed by EtOAc (3 x 100 ml) then acidified to pH 2 with concentrated HCl and extracted with ether (6 x 200 ml). The combined extracts were dried (MgSO4) and chilled whereupon a crystalline material appeared. This was removed after 24 hours and the filtrate concentrated to yield 4.0 g of crude acid title D acid. The acid was esterified directly by treatment in ether with excess diazomethane at 25 . Title E ester was purified by flash column chromatography on LP-1 silica gel (500 m1) eluting with 50/50 hexane/ether followed by ether to yield 2.9l g of title E ester [&alpha;]Hg,365 = -23 C-12.5 mg, MeOH. (TLC Rf = 0.6, silica gel EM, ether, spot visualization with PMA + H#+#). F. [1S-[1&alpha;,2&alpha;(5Z),3&alpha;,4&alpha;]]-7-[3-Formyl-7- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester A mixture of chromium oxide (6.48 g, 6.48 mmole), pyridine (10.4 ml, 129.6 mmole) and CH2C12 (340 ml) was prepared and stirred at 250 for 30 minutes under argon. Dry celite (18 g) was added followed by title E ester (2.91 g, 10.8 mmole) dissolved in CH2Cl2 (15 ml) and stirring was continued for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with 5% NaHCO3 (3 x 100 ml), 5% NaHSO4 (2 x 250 ml), 5% NaHCO3 (1 x 200 ml), dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ether, treated with Norite, filtered and concentrated to yield 2.6 g of title aldehyde. Examples 10 and 11 [3aS-[1-(1S,2R,5S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1- [[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 10, Isomer I) and [3aR-[l-(lS,2R,5S),3aa,4a,7a,7a ]]-Octahydro-l- [[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 11, Isomer II) Following the procedure of Examples 1 and 2 except substituting d-menthol for l-menthol, the title compounds are obtained. Examples 12 and 13 [3aR- (3aa, 4a,7a, 7aa) ]-Octahydro-l-benzyloxy-4,7- epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 12, Isomer A) and [3as-[3aaf4aw7at7aa)l-Octahydro-l-benzyloxy-4t7 epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 13, Isomer B) Following the procedure of Examples 3 and 4 except substituting the Example 11, Isomer II compound for the Example 2, Isomer II compound, the title compounds are obtained. Example 14 [3aR-(3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]]-7-[3-Formyl-7-oxabicyclo- [2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester Following the procedure of Example 5 except substituting the Example 12, Isomer A compound for the Example 3, Isomer A compound, the title aldehyde is obtained Example 15 and 16 [3aS-[1-(1S,2R,5S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 15, Isomer I) and [3aR-[1-(1S,2R,5S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha; ;]]-Octahydro-1-[[5- methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxy isobenzofuran (Example 16, Isomer II) Following the procedure of Examples 6 and 7 except substituting menthol for 1-menthol, the title compound are obtained. Example 17 [3aR-(3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7- epoxyisobenzofuran Following the procedure of Example 8 except substituting the Example 16, Isomer II compound for the Example 6, Isomer I compound, the title compound is obtained. Example 18 [1R-[1&alpha;,2&alpha;(5Z),3&alpha;,4&alpha;]]-7-[3-Formyl-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methyl ester Following the procedure of Example 9 except substituting the Example 17 compound for the Example 8 compound, the title compound is obtained. Example 19 [1R-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]-Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl] 4. 7-epoxvisobenzofuran A. [1S-(1&alpha;(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]- Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran and B. [1R-(1&alpha;(1R,2S,5R),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]- Octahydro-1-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) cyclohexyl]oxy]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran and A solution of (exo)-octahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol (prepared as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,143.054) (30 g. 0.192 mole), levo-menthol (30 g. 0.192 mole) and -toluene- sulfonic acid (1OO mg) in benzene (500 ml) was heated at reflux for 24.hours under nitrogen with a Dean-Stark trap containing molecular sieves in the system. The solution was chilled, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate (100 ml). then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from methanol (300 ml) to yield 15 g of pure isomer A, m.p. 109-1110C. The mother liquor was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (600 ml) eluting with hexane and ether/hexane (1:9) to yield 20 g of isomeric mixture A and B. This mixture was recrystallized from methanol (150 ml) to yield 7 g of pure isomer A (100% optically pure), m.p 109-1110C. The mother liquor was concentrated to yield 24 g of isomer B which was approximately 908 optically pure by C-13 NMR. C. [1s,3aR-(1&alpha;,3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;)]- Octahydro-1-benzyloxy-4,7-epoxyisobenzo furan b solution of isomer B (prepared as described above) (24 g, 0.052 mole) and p-toluenesulfonic acid tlOO mg) in benzyl alcohol C250 ml) was heated at 900C for 90 minutes. TLC silica gel; ether/hexane (1:1)] indicated complete absence of starting material. The mixture was chilled. diluted with ether (1000 21), washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, then concentrated in vacuo. Excess benzyl alcohol was removed by distillation. The residue was dissolved in hexane (200 ml) and chilled overnight to yield 13 g of title C compound. an oil at room temperature. TLC: silica gel; hexane/ether (1:1). Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. D. [3aR-(3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;)]- Octahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1-ol A solution of title c compound (13 g, 0.053 mole) and trifluoroacetic acid (40 ml) in water (160 1) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 4 hours. The mixture was neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate. saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with dichloromethane (8 x 200 ml). The combined extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (500 ml) eluting with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (2:5) to yield 8 g of title D compound (90% optically pure). TLC: silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1): Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. E. [1R-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]]- Octahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo 12.2.l]heptane]carboxyl-4,7-epoxyiso- benzofuran A solution of title D compound (8.75 g 0.056 mole), levo-ketopinic acid (Org. Syn., 45. p. 55) (10.21 g, 0.056 mole). 4-dimethylaminopyridine (6.84 g, 0.056 mole) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (11.55 g, 0.056 mole) in dichloromethane (200 ml) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 4 days. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with 5% potassium bisulfate (2 x 100 ml), 5% sodium bicarbonate (2 x 100 ml) and water.- The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized 3 times from diisopropyl ether to yield 10 g of title compound. m.p. 148-150 C. TLC: silica gel: ether/hexane (1:1), Rf = 0.2: vanillin spray and heat. [&alpha;]D = + 48 C = 20 mg/ml (CHCl3) Example 20 [1S-(1&alpha;,2ss(Z),3ss,4&alpha;)]-7-[3-(Hydroxymethyl)-7-oxa- bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid. methylester A. [3aR-(1&alpha;,3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;)]- Octahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1-ol A solution of Example B compound (8l8 g. 0.0275 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml) was treated with IN sodium hydroxide C55 ml, 0.055 mole) and stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was treated with IN hydrochloric acid (55 ml, 0.o55 mole), saturated with sodium chloride, and extracted with chloroform (10 x 100 ml). The combined extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (500 a1) elating with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1) to yield 4 g of product which was recrystallized from henzene/cyclohexane to yield 3.7 g of title A compound, m.p. 65-670C. TLC. silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichlorosethane (1:1): Rf = 0.2: vanillin spray and heat. [&alpha;]D = + 46 C = 20 mg/ml (CHCl3). B. [[1R-(1&alpha;.2ss,3ss,4&alpha;)]-3-(2-Methoxy- ethenyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2 .methanol A slurry of methoxymethyltriphenylphosphonium chloride (15.2 g. 0.0443 mole) in toluene (500 ml) was treated with a solution of lithium diisopropylamide (prepared from 1.6 M n-butyl lithium (27.6 ml. 0.0442 mole) and diisopropylamine (7.7 ml, 0.055 mole) in pentane in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) at 0 C. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then treated via a solid addition device with title A compound (2 g. 0.0128 mole). The mixture was stir-red at room temperature for 3 days then poured into brine (1000 ml), treated with 10% hydrochloric acid until pH = 6.5. then extracted with ether (3 x 200 ml). The combined ether extract were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with hexane/ether and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (300 ml) eluting with dichloromethane and ether/dichloromethane (1:1) to yield the desired product contaminated with phosphine salts. This material was distilled in vacuo to yield 1.6 g of title B compound. b.p. 110 C/0.05 cm. Hg [3D = 540 [a] 365 = -168 C = 11 mg/ml CHCl3 TLC: silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1): Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. C. [(4aR)-cis-exo]-Octahydro-5,8-epoxy-1H benzopyran-3-ol A solution of title B compound (1.6 g. 0.0087 mole) in 20% trifluoroacetic acid/water (16 ml) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 2 hours. The solution was made basic with solid sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous mixture was then saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with chloroform (lO x 50 t1). The combined extracts wre concentrated in vacuo. The resultant oil contained significant amounts of partial hydrolysis products. This material was subjected to a second treatment with TFA/water as above and after a second workup as above yielded a solid product which was chromatographed on LP-l silica gel (150 ml) eluting with ether/dichloromethane (1:9) and ether to yield 1.3 g of title C compound, m.p. 94-96 C. TLC:silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1); Rf = 0.1; vanillin spray and heat. [&alpha;]D =-26.8 C = 10 mg/ml MeOH D. [1S-(1&alpha;,2ss(Z),3ss-4&alpha;)]-7-[3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5 heptenoic acid and E. [1S-(1&alpha;,2ss(Z),3ss,4&alpha;)]-7-[3-Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5 heptenoic acid, methYl ester A slurry of 4-carboxybutyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (10.18 g. 0.023 mole) in anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide (20 ml) was treated with a solution of freshly prepared dimsyl ion at 150C until an orange coloration persisted. A second equivalent of dimsyl ion was added to form the desired ylide. The deep red mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then treated with title compound (1.3 g. 0.0076 mole) dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours then quenched with a solution of glacial acetic acid (1.4 g. 0.023 mole) in ether (10 ml). The mixture was poured into brine (1000 ml). acidified to pH = 2 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (6 x 50 ml). The combined extracts were concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 5% sodium bicarbonate (150 ml) and extracted with benzene (2 x 100 ml) and ethyl acetate (2 x 100 ml). The aqueous layer was acidified to pH = 2 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (5 x 50 ml). The combined ethyl acetate extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ether (100 ml) and chilled overnight. The precipitated phosphine salts were removed by filtration. The filtrate was.concentrated in vacuo to yield 2.1 g of product which contained title D compound contaminated with small amounts of phosphine salts. Title D compound was dissolved in 100 =1 of ether, treated with excess ethereal diazomethane solution and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was quenched with glacial acetic acid/ether solution, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate. then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-I silica gel (400 mi) eluting with ether/hexane (1:1) and ether to yield 1.4 g of title E compound. TLC of title D compound. silica gel; ether; Rf 0.2; vanillin spray and heat. TLC of title E compound: silica gel; ether; Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray and heat. [&alpha;]D of title E compound = - 12.3@ C = 27 mg/ml (MeOH). Example 21 [1S-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4&alpha;,7&alpha;,7a&alpha;]Octahydro-1- [[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]-heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran Following the procedure of Example 19 except substituting dextro-menthol for levo-menthol and dextro-ketopinic acid for levo-tetopinic acid a the title compound is obtained. Example 22 [1R-(1&alpha;,2ss(Z),3ss,4&alpha;)]-7-[3-(Hydroxymethyl)-7-oxa- bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, methylester Following the procedure of Example 20 except substituting the Example 21 isomer for the Example 19B isomer. the title compound is obtained. Examples 23 and 24 [1S-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 23) and [1R-[1&alpha;(1S),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 24) A solution of (endo) - 1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro4.7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol (prepared as described in Example 14 of U. S. Patent No. 4.143.054) (53.2 g. 343 mmoles). l-ketopinic acid chloride (70 g, 350 mmoles) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (1 g. 8 mmoles) in pyridine (500 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was diluted with water and extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 300 ml). The combined extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo and found to contain a mixture of Examples 23 and 24 isomers. The crude product was recrystallized 4 times from isopropyl ether to yield 19 g of title Example 23 product. m.p. 123-125 C. = +58 C = 1 CHCl3 TLC: silica gel; ether/hexane (1:1): Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray + heat. Example 25 [1R-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxymethyl)-7- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxaldehyde A. [1S-[3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-1,3,3&alpha;,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1-ol A solution of Example 23 compound (6.36 g, 20 mmole) in tetahydrofuran (100 ml) was treated with 1 normal lithium hydroxide (20 ml, 20 mmole) and 30% hydrogen peroxide (0.23 ml, 20 mmole) then stirred vigorously in a Morton flask at room temperature for 2 horus. TLC after this time indicated complete absence of starting material. The solution was quenched with 5% sodium thiosulfate (5 ml) then saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with chloroform (10x50 ml). The combined extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized from benzene/cyclohexane to yield 3 g of desired hemiacetal, m.p. 99-100 C. TtC: silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1); Bf = 0.2 vanillin spray + heat. = +67 c = 10 mg/ml CHCl3. B. [1R-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxa-5-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene-2 carboxaldehyde 1,1-dimethylhydrazone A solution of title B hemiacetal (2.8 g, 18 mmole) and unsym-dimethylhydrazine (2.2 g 37 mmole) in dichloromethane (50 ml) was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo to yield 3.5 g of desired title B product. TLC: silica gel; ether; Rf 2 0.15; vanillin spray + heat. C. [1R-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxa-5-bicyclot2.2.1]heptene-2- carboxaldehvde 1. l-dimethylhYdrazone A solution of title B compound (11.5 g, 59 mmole). trimethylamine (61 g. 600 mmoles) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.465 g. 3.8 mmoles) in acetic anhydride (31 g. 300 mmoles) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. After this time TLC indicated complete conversion to the acetate. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was poured into ice water and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica (1500 ml) eluting with ether/hexane (1:1) to yield 14 g of title C compound. TLC: silica gel; ether: Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray + heat. D. [1R-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene-2 carboxaldehyde 1,1-dimethylhydrazone A soluton of title C compound t2.1 g, 8.8 mmole) in ethyl acetate (100 ml) was treated with 10% Pd/C (200 mg) and stirred under one atmosphere of hydrogen until 200 ml of hydrogen had been consumed. The mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated to yield 2.1 g of title D compound. CMR indicated that the product still contained 5% of the undesired trans isomer. TLC: silica gel; tether Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray + heat. E. [1R-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene-2 carboxaldehyde A solution of title D compound (2.1 g. 8.8 mmole) in tetrahydrofuran (130 ml) was treated with a solution of cupric chloride dihydrate (2.98 g. 17.6 mmole) in pH = 7 phosphate buffer C140 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then concentrated in vacuo to approximately ISO ml. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (300 ml) and filtered through celite. The filtrate was washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo to produce title aldehyde. Examples 26 and 27 [1S-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-1,3,31,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 26) and [1R-[1&alpha;(1R),3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;]]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a- Hexahydro-1-[[2-oxo-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]carboxyl]-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran (Example 27) A solution of (endo)-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro- 4.7-epoxyisobenzofuran-l-ol (12.7 g. 82.5 mmole) d-ketopinic acid (15 g. 82 mmole). and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (10.1 g. 82 mmole) in anhydrous dichloromethane (400 ml) was treated with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (17.1 g, 82 mmole) and stirred at room temperature for 3 days. The reation mixture was then filtered. The filtrate was washed with 5% potassium bisulfate. 5% sodium. bicarbonate and water. The dichloromethane solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (600 ml) eluting with dichloromethane and ether/dichloromethane (1:4). Fractions containing the desired ester (Example 26) and Example 27 ester were combined and concentrated in vacuo. The solid residue was recrystallized 3 times from isopropyl ether to yield 5.5 g of optically active title Example 26 compound, m.p. 135-1380C. [&alpha;]D = -57 c = 10 mg/ml CHCl3 TLC: silica gel; ether/hexane (1:1), Rf = 0.2; vanillin spray + heat. Example 28 [1S-(3a&alpha;,4ss,7ss,7a&alpha;)]-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-Hexahydro- 4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1-ol A solution of Example 26 compound (5.5 g, t7.3 mmole) in tetrahydrofuran (9(0 ml) was treated with 1N lithium hydroxide solution (17.3 ml. 17.3 mmole) and 30% hydrogen peroxide (0.2 ml, 17.3 mmole) then stirred vigorously in a Morton flask at room temperature for 2 hours. After this time, TLC indicated complete absence of starting material. The solution was quenched with 5% sodium thiosulfate solution (5 ml), saturated with sodium chloride, and extracted with chloroform (10x50 ml). The combined extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from benzene to yield 2 g of title compounds m.p. 105-109 0C. TLC: silica gel; ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (1:1); Hf = 0.2; vanillin spray + heat. D = 670 C = 10 mg/ml CHCl3 B. [1S-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Hydroxy- methyl)-7-oxa-5-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene 2-carboxaldehyde 1,1-dimethylhydrazone A solution of title A compound (2 g. 13 mmole) and unsymdimethylhydrazine (1.6 g, 27 mmole) in dichloromethane (75 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo to yield 2.5 g of title B compound. TLC: silica -gel; ether; Rf - 0.15; vanillin spray + heat. C. [1S-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxa-5-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene 2-carboxaldehyde l,l-dimethylbydrazone A solution of title B compound (2.5 g. 12.7 mmole) in acetic anhydride (15 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 8 hours then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ether and washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate and brine. The ether layer was chromatographed on LP-1 silica gel (500 ml) eluting with ether/pentane (1:1) to yield 775 mg of title C compound. TLC: silica gel; ether; Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray + heat. D. [1S-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene 2-carboxaldehvde 1,l-dimethYlhydrazone A solution of title C compound (775 mg. 3.26 mmole) in ethyl acetate (100 ml) was treated with 10% Pd/C (100 mg) and stirred under one atmosphere of hydrogen until 75 ml of hydrogen had been consumed. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to yield 775 mg of title D compound. TLC: silica gel; ether; Rf = 0.4; vanillin spray + heat. E. [1S-(1&alpha;,2&alpha;,3&alpha;,4&alpha;)]-3-(Acetoxy- methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 2-carboxaldehyde A solution of title D compound (775 mg. 3.2 mmole) in tetrahydrofuran (48 ml) was treated with a solution of cupric chloride dihydrate (1.1 g. 6.5 mmole) in pH = 7 phosphate buffer C52 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours a then concentrated in vacuo to approximately one-half its original volume. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (100 ml) and filtered through celite. The filtrate was washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give title product.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A compound having the structure EMI65.1 wherein one of R1 and R2 is EMI65.2 wherein the dotted line is an optional double bond and wherein the dotted line is a double bond then R1 and R2 is EMI66.1 and the other is hydrogen. 2. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein RÚ is H and R2is EMI66.2 3. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein R2 is H and R1 is EMI67.1 4. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI67.2 5. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI67.3 6. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI68.1 7, The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI68.2 8. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI69.1 9. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having.the formula EMI69.2 10. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the formula EMI69.3 11. The compound as defined in Claim I having the formula EMI70.1 12. A method for preparing compounds as defined in Claim 1 which comprises esterifying a hemiacetal of the formula EMI70.2 by reacting same with d or menthol to form a mixture of diastereomers, resolving the above mixture to recover optically active diastereomer of the structure EMI70.3 wherein one of RÚ and Rê is EMI71.1 and the other is H, and reacting the above hemiacetal with benzyl alcohol to form the optically active compound EMI71.2 wherein one of RÚ and Rê is and the other is H. EMI71.3 13. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein R is EMI71.4 14. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein R2 is EMI72.1 15. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI72.2 16. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI72.3 17. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI73.1 18. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI73.2 19. A method for preparing a ketopinate ester as defined in Claim 1 which comprises esterifying a hemiacetal of the formula EMI73.3 by reacting same with d or 1-menthol to form a mixture of diastereomers, resolving the above mixture to recover 90% optically pure diastereomer of the structure EMI74.1 wherein Rê EMI74.2 and RÚ is H, reacting the above hemiacetal with benzyl alcohol to form the optically active compound EMI74.3 wherein R4 is EMI75.1 and R3 is H. hydrogenating the benzyloxy compound to form a hemiacetal of the structure EMI75.2 wherein R6 is OH and R5 is H. reacting the hemiacetal with 1 or d-ketopinic acid halide to form the optically active ketopinate ester. 20. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein R1 is EMI75.3 21. The compound as defined in Claim 1 wherein Rê is EMI76.1 22. The compound as defined in Claim L having the structure EMI76.2 23. The compound as defined in Claim l having the structure EMI76.3 24. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI77.1 25. The compound as defined in Claim 1 having the structure EMI77.2 26. A method for preparing a compound as defined in Claim 1 which comprises reacting a racemic hemiacetal of the structure EMI78.1 wherein one of R3 is OH and the other is H with 1 or d-tetopinic acid halide to form a racemic mixture of ketopinate esters and resolving the racemic ketopinate esters to recover the desired optically active ketopinate ester.

Inventors: HEIKES, JAMES E., SPRAGUE, PETER W.
Applicants: E.R. SQUIBB & SONS, INC.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: C07D493
IPC codes: C07D493