Crystal structure determination of the conformation of two bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-ones

Abstract

The molecular structures of exo-7-methylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one, 3, and the endo-7-methyl isomer, 4, have been determined using X-ray-diffraction techniques. Compound 3 crystallizes in the space group [Formula: see text] with a = 15.115(1), c = 7.677(2) Å, and Z = 8 while 4 crystallizes in the space group P21 with a = 6.446(1), b = 7.831(1), c = 8.414(2) Å, β = 94.42(2)°, and Z = 2. The structures were solved by direct methods and refined to final agreement factors of R = 0.041 and R = 0.034 for 3 and 4 respectively. Compound 3 exists in a chair–chair conformation and there is no significant flattening of the chair rings. However, in 4, the non-ketone ring is forced into a boat conformation. These results are significant in interpreting what conformations may be present in the related sp2-hybridized carbocations.