A synthetic study of norcarone and related compounds

Abstract

This thesis embodies an attempt to prepare two compounds - norcarone and 7,7' - dimethylnorcarone. In addition it discusses the relationship of these compounds to a well-known set of bicyclic monoterpenes - the caranes, with special reference to chamic and chaminic acids. These two acids are in fact the inspiration of this work, for 7,7' - dimethylnorcarone could act as an intermediate in the synthesis of dihydrochamic acid. The thesis also discusses, in some detail, other synthetic methods applied to this class of compound.