Abstract Reaction of morpholinobicycloalkyl-dimedone 4 C with various CH-acids 3 leads to a substitution of the exo-dimedone unit as a consequence of a strong preference of the exo- leaving group in a bicyclic compound of type 4 and 5, respectively. Dimedone (3 C) as a nucleophile, however, makes the exo substitution unproductive in 4 C and allows the displacement of the morpholino moiety leading to 12 C. Thus compounds 12 C–12 F ...