A model for the active conformation of methionine enkephalin was derived from computer modeling. From this model, a target was designed and synthesized using bicyclo [2.2. 2] octane as a structural template. Thus, a key intermediate, exo-6-benzoyl-1- carboethoxybicyclo [2.2. 2]-2-octene was prepared via a Diels-Alder reaction using ethyl dihydrobenzoate and phenylvinylketone. It was subsequently modified to exo-6-benzyl-1- ...