Oxymercuration/demercuration of 2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-
3-one (1) and biohydroxylation of the corresponding saturated lactam (
-)-(8) are compared as methods for the preparation of monohydroxylated
2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-ones. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.