The cleavage of the C-1-C-2 bond in norbornane derivatives is accompli
shed by base-promoted hydrolysis of alpha-nitroketones, periodate oxid
ation or Beckmann fragmentation of suitable precursors prepared from t
he 2-norbornanones 1. These reactions are the basis for the synthesis
of the S-substituted homochiral cyclopentanones 6, 10 or 15. Copyright
(C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd