The isocaryolane structure 6 has been assigned to a minor product of t
he TCNE-catalysed cyclization of caryophyllene 4 alpha,5 beta-oxide (3
). A Wagner-Meervein rearrangement of rings B and C of the clovane ske
leton (1) has been explored by deuterium labelling of 9 alpha-bromo-2
beta-methoxyclovane (4a). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re
served.