Bicyclo [2.2. 2] octane-1, 2-dicarboxylic acid has been synthesized via the reaction of dimethyl 1, 3-cyclohexadiene-l, 6dicarboxylate with maleic anhydride (Chart I) and via the reaction of ethyl 1, 3-cyclohexadiene-l-carbox-ylate with ethyl acrylate (Chart 11). The latter reaction affords the four possible Diels-Alder adducts in the ratio of 30 (head-to-head endo): 8 (head-to-tailendo): 5 (head-to-head ezo): 1 (head-to-tail em). Stereocheniical and ...
