Synthesis of new acetal aza-cage compounds via ozonolysis of bis-endo-diol- and diacylnorbornene derivatives

We synthesized acetal aza-cage compounds directly via ozonolysis of 2,3-bis-endo-diol- and diacylnorbornenes in dichloromethane at −78 °C. Ozonolysis of the diols followed by addition of amines gave the aza-cage compounds in high yields. The reaction mechanism for the formation of this type of aza-cage compounds is proposed to proceed via the hydroperoxide intermediate. Ozonolysis of the diacetyl norbornene followed by addition of (1) primary amines gave monoaza-cages and diaza-cage, (2) tert-butylamine gave hydroxyl lactone and diaza-cages, and (3) amino acid ester gave optically active aza-cages, in which one compound was converted into chiral aminoalcohol and structure of another was proven by X-ray analysis. A mechanism via the final ozonide and the imine intermediates is proposed for the formation of this type of aza-cages.