Synthesis of Novel, Helical Spiroannelated Hydrocarbon Rings

Significance

The first synthesis of compounds 8 and 12 are reported. These structures represent the first helical hydrocarbons of 1,3-spiroannelated cyclopentane rings that bear no functionalities. While these compounds were synthesized in ­racemic form, enantiomeric resolution of the ­compounds could lead to enantiopure helical compounds with substantial optical rotations.