Base catalyzed Michael addition of 5-nitropentan-2-one ethylene ketal
(I) and cyclohex-2-enone (2), subsequent deprotection, and intramolecu
lar aldol condensation yields the 8-methyl-5-nitro-1-octalone isomers
(5a, b). The structure, relative configuration, and conformation of 5a
and 5b were elucidated utilizing the results of H-1 and C-13 NMR inve
stigations