Cyclic acetal groups at the position 8 of the cis-bicyclo| 3.3. 0| octane system may act as regio-and stereoselective control elements, respectively, in hydroboration and oxymercuration reactions. Whereas the regioselectivity observed in hydroborations must be ascribed to homoallylic inductive effects, and leads predominantly to exo, 1, 3-bifunctional relationships, the effect of acetal group in oxymercuration is mainly stereoselective due to ...