RECENTLY a total synthesis of racemic sabinene (II) and cis- and zruns-sabinene hydrates (II&b) via sabina ketone (I) has been accomplished employing the Simmons-Smith reaction for the construction of the bicycle 13.1-01 hexane ring systerul~ 2 Herein is described an alternate synthesis of racemic sabina ketone (I) by the intramolecular a-ketocarbene-olelin addition.3 The key intermediate XII was prepared as follows. Ethyl isopropylcyanoacetate (IV)' was ...
