Unusual manganese(III)-mediated oxidative free radical additions of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to benzonorbornadiene and 7-heterobenzonorbornadienes: mechanistic studies.

Benzonorbornadiene and heterobenzonorbornadiene were reacted with dimedone/acetylacetone and Mn(OAc)3 in the presence and absence of Cu(OAc)2. The reaction of benzonorbornadiene with dimedone gave mainly the dihydrofuran addition product, whereas the reaction with acetylacetone produced a rearranged product in addition to the dihydrofuran derivative. On the other hand, oxanorbornadiene gave unusual products such as the cycloproponated compound and a product arising from the incorporation of 2 mol of dimedone.