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Measured DMSO pKa values for a series of rigid tricyclic adamantane-like triols containing 0-3 trifluoromethyl groups (i.e., 3(0)-3(3)) are reported. The three compounds with CF3 substituents are similar or more acidic than acetic acid (pKa = 13.5 (3(1)), 9.5 (3(2)), 7.3 (3(3)) vs 12.6 (HOAc)), and the resulting hydrogen bond network enables a remote γ-trifluoromethyl group to enhance the acidity as well as one located at the α-position. Catalytic abilities of 3(0)-3(3) were also examined. In a nonpolar environment a rate enhancement of up to 100-fold over flexible acyclic analogs was observed presumably due to an entropic advantage of the locked-in structure. Gas-phase acidities are found to correlate with the catalytic activity better than DMSO pKa values and appear to be a better measure of acidities in low dielectric constant media. These trends are reduced or reversed in polar solvents highlighting the importance of the reaction environment.

Cophotolysis of noradamantyldiazirine with the phenanthride precursor of dichlorocarbene or phenylchlorodiazirine in pentane at room temperature produces noradamantylethylenes in 11% yield with slight diastereoselectivity. Cophotolysis of adamantyldiazirine with phenylchlorodiazirine in pentane at room temperature generates adamantylethylenes in 6% yield with no diastereoselectivity. (1)H NMR showed the reaction of noradamantyldiazirine + phenylchlorodiazirine to be independent of solvent, and the rate of noradamantyldiazirine consumption correlated with the rate of ethylene formation. Laser flash photolysis showed that reaction of phenylchlorocarbene + adamantene was independent of adamantene concentration. The reaction of phenylchlorocarbene + homoadamantene produces the ethylene products with k = 9.6 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). Calculations at the UB3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and UM062X/6-31+G(d,p)//UB3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) levels show the formation of exocyclic ethylenes to proceed (a) on the singlet surface via stepwise addition of phenylchlorocarbene (PhCCl) to bridgehead alkenes adamantene and homoadamantene, respectively, producing an intermediate singlet diradical in each case, or (b) via addition of PhCCl to the diazo analogues of noradamantyl- and adamantyldiazirine. Preliminary direct dynamics calculations on adamantene + PhCCl show a high degree of recrossing (68%), indicative of a flat transition state surface. Overall, 9% of the total trajectories formed noradamantylethylene product, each proceeding via the computed singlet diradical.

The development of 1,5-dimethyl-9-azanoradamantane N-oxyl (DMN-AZADO; 1,5-dimethyl-Nor-AZADO, 2) as an efficient catalyst for the selective oxidation of primary alcohols in the presence of secondary alcohols is described. The compact and rigid structure of the azanoradamantane nucleus confers potent catalytic ability to DMN-AZADO (2). A variety of hindered primary alcohols such as neopentyl primary alcohols were efficiently oxidized by DMN-AZADO (2) to the corresponding aldehydes, whereas secondary alcohols remained intact. DMN-AZADO (2) also has high catalytic efficiency for one-pot oxidation from primary alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids in the presence of secondary alcohols and for oxidative lactonization from diols.

Oligonucleotide hybrids with organic cores as rigid branching elements and four or six CG dimer strands have been shown to form porous materials from dilute aqueous solution. In order to explore the limits of this form of DNA-driven assembly, we prepared hybrids with three or eight DNA arms via solution-phase syntheses, using H-phosphonates of protected dinucleoside phosphates. This included the synthesis of (CG)8TREA, where TREA stands for the tetrakis[4-(resorcin-5-ylethynyl)phenyl]adamantane core. The ability of the new compounds to assemble in a DNA-driven fashion was studied by UV-melting analysis and NMR, using hybrids with self-complementary CG zipper arms or non-self-complementary TC dimer arms. The three-arm hybrid failed to form a material under conditions where four-arm hybrids did so. Further, the assembly of TREA hybrids appears to be dominated by hydrophobic interactions, not base pairing of the DNA arms. These results help in the design of materials forming by multivalent DNA-DNA interactions.

The mechanism of an NOx-assisted, nitroxide(nitroxyl radical)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols was investigated using a set of sterically and electronically modified nitroxides (i.e., TEMPO, AZADO (1), 5-F-AZADO (2), 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3), 5-MeO-AZADO (4), 5,7-DiMeO-AZADO (5), oxa-AZADO (6), TsN-AZADO (7), and DiAZADO (8)). The motivation for the present study stemmed from our previous observation that the introduction of an F atom at a remote position from the nitroxyl radical moiety on the azaadamantane nucleus effectively enhanced the catalytic activity under typical NOx-mediated aerobic-oxidation conditions. The kinetic profiles of the azaadamantane-N-oxyl-[AZADO (1)-, 5-F-AZADO (2)-, and 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3)]-catalyzed aerobic oxidations were closely investigated, revealing that AZADO (1) showed a high initial reaction rate compared to 5-F-AZADO (2) and 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3); however, AZADO-catalyzed oxidation exhibited a marked slowdown, resulting in ∼90% conversion, whereas 5-F-AZADO-catalyzed oxidation smoothly reached completion without a marked slowdown. The reasons for the marked slowdown and the role of the fluoro group are discussed. Oxa-AZADO (6), TsN-AZADO (7), and DiAZADO (8) were designed and synthesized to confirm their comparable catalytic efficiency to that of 5-F-AZADO (2), providing supporting evidence for the electronic effect on the catalytic efficiency of the heteroatoms under NOx-assisted aerobic-oxidation conditions.

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and other electrophiles promote formation of the adamantanone core from the readily accessible 1,5-dimethyl-3,7-dimethylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one 2. Because adamantyl cation 3 can be trapped by a range of nucleophiles, including aromatic and heteroaromatic rings, alcohol, nitriles, and halides, access to a wide variety of functionality at the newly formed tertiary position is provided.

A straightforward gram-scale synthesis of 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(methylidene)cyclooctane (TMCO) from commercial adamantane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid has been developed. TMCO exhibits high reactivity toward a number of carbenes and epoxidizing reagents, undergoing multiple cyclopropanations, dihalocyclopropanations, or epoxidations of four double bonds to yield polyspirocyclic products. Stereochemical features of polyspirocyclopropanated compounds have been thoroughly examined in experimental (NMR) and theoretical (DFT) studies. Comprehensive stereochemical assignment of TMCO adducts with dihalocarbenes and spiroepoxy products was achieved. The conditions of the formation of 1-methyl-3,7-bis(methylidene)bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane from the adamantane derivative were optimized, and diadducts of this diene with dihalocarbenes were isolated and characterized.

An adamantane-based cage with a three-dimensional (3D) framework was synthesized by the copper-mediated acetylene coupling reaction, in which two 1,3,5-triethynyladamantane units were linked by phenyldiacetylenic bridges possessing ester groups. X-ray crystallography revealed that the cage has an internal space and accommodates a solvent molecule, which afforded molecular networks through CH/O interactions between cage molecules. Furthermore, the cage containing six ester groups spontaneously self-assembled into hollow spherical aggregates with an average diameter of 230 nm in a mixed solvent.

A fully stereocontrolled 1,3-diol orthoesterification and a water-promoted intramolecular Henry addition, combined with the previously reported formal (3 + 3) annulation of α-nitro-α,β-enals and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one, provided for a short convergent pathway to the dioxaadamantane core of (±)-tetrodotoxin.

An improved methodology for the preparation of enantiopure oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octadienes via a stereodivergent resolution is reported. High catalyst control proximal to the oxabridged stereocenter produces readily separable diastereomers in high yield (>92%) and with excellent optical purity (>95% ee). This resolution strategy is amenable to large-scale preparations, and the utility of the resolution was further demonstrated in the asymmetric preparation of a key intermediate used in the synthesis of the antibiotic (-)-platensimycin.

A mild and efficient dual-mode Lewis acid induced Diels-Alder (DA)/carbocyclization cascade cyclization reaction has been developed for construction of the tricyclic core of ent-kaurenoids in one pot with the aid of a theoretical study on the π,σ-Lewis acidities of a variety of Lewis acids. With ZnBr2 as the dual-mode Lewis acid, a series of substituted enones and dienes underwent DA/carbocyclization cascade cyclization reaction smoothly at room temperature and provided the tricyclic cyclized products in one pot with good yields and high diastereoselectivity. The tricyclic cyclized product has been successfully utilized as a common intermediate for formal syntheses of (±)-platensimycin and (±)-platencin.

A highly stereoselective synthesis of the racemic oxatetracyclic core of platensimycin has been accomplished from a known bicyclic epoxy lactone by an 11-step sequence that involves a Diels-Alder cyclcoaddition to construct its cis-decalenone structural motif with complete regio- and stereoselectivity and a ring-closing metathesis to establish its whole carbon framework.

The synthesis of a functionalized derivative containing the 2,8-ethanonoradamantane carbocyclic skeleton, whose key-step consists of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, is described. Chemoselective reduction of an intermediate enone required protection of the maleimide function through their Diels-Alder adducts with furan.

Five new (2-adamantyl)naphthol derivatives (5-9, quinone methide precursors, QMP) were synthesized and their photochemical reactivity was investigated by preparative photolyses, fluorescence spectroscopy, and laser flash photolysis (LFP). Excitation of QMP 5 to S(1) leads to efficient excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) coupled with dehydration, giving quinone methide QM5 which was characterized by LFP (in CH(3)CN-H(2)O, λ(max) = 370 nm, τ = 0.19 ms). On irradiation of QMP 5 in CH(3)OH-H(2)O (4:1), the quantum yield of methanolysis is Φ = 0.70. Excitation of naphthols QMP 6-8 to S(1) in CH(3)CN leads to photoionization and formation of naphthoxyl radicals. In a protic solvent, QMP 6-8 undergo solvent-assisted PT giving QM6 or zwitterion QM8 that react with nucleophiles delivering adducts, but with a significantly lower quantum efficiency. QMP 9 in a protic solvent undergoes two competitive processes, photosolvolysis via QM9 and solvent-assisted PT to carbon atom of the naphthalene giving zwitterion. QM9 has been characterized by LFP (in CH(3)CN-H(2)O, λ(max) > 600 nm, τ = 0.9 ms). In addition to photogenerated QMs, two stable naphthalene QMs, QM10 and QM11 were synthesized thermally and characterized by X-ray crystallography. QM10 and QM11 do not react with H(2)O but undergo acid-catalyzed fragmentation or rearrangement. Antiproliferative activity of 5-9 was investigated on three human cancer cell lines. Exposure of MCF-7 cells treated with 5 to 300 nm irradiation leads to an enhanced antiproliferative effect, in accordance with the activity being due to the formation of QM5.

Branched oligonucleotides with "CG zippers" as DNA arms assemble into materials from micromolar solutions. Their synthesis has been complicated by low yields in solid-phase syntheses. Here we present a solution-phase synthesis based on phosphoramidites of dimers and phenolic cores that produces six-arm or four-arm hybrids in up to 61% yield. On the level of hybrids, only the final product has to be purified by precipitation or chromatography. A total of five different hybrids were prepared via the solution-phase route, including new hybrid (TCG)(4)TTPA with a tetrakis(triazolylphenyl)adamantane core and trimer DNA arms. The new method is more readily scaled up than solid-phase syntheses, uses no more than 4 equiv of phosphoramidite per phenolic alcohol, and provides routine access to novel materials that assemble via predictable base-pairing interactions.

A method for the solution-phase synthesis of branched oligonucleotides with tetrahedral or pseudo-octahedral geometry is described that involves the coupling of 3'-H-phosphonates of protected dinucleoside phosphates and organic core molecules. The dimer building blocks are produced by a synthesis that requires no chromatographic purification and that produces the dimer H-phosphonates in up to 44% yield in less than three days of laboratory work. A total of seven different branched hybrids were prepared, including a new hybrid of the sequence (CG)(4)TBA, where TBA stands for tetrakis(p-hydroxybiphenyl)adamantane that assembles into a material from micromolar aqueous solution upon addition of MgCl(2).

The dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor saxagliptin (Onglyza) can undergo a thermodynamically favored cyclization to form the corresponding cyclic amidine. The kinetics and mechanism of this conversion were examined to develop a commercial synthesis that afforded saxagliptin with only trace levels of this key byproduct. Important findings of this work are the identification of a profound solvent effect and the determination of an autocatalytic pathway. Both of these phenomena result from transition structures involving proton transfer.

An oxidative Prins-pinacol tandem process mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent has been developed. This oxidative version of the famous tandem process fits within the concept of "aromatic ring umpolung" and allows the stereoselective transformation of simple phenols into highly elaborated spirocyclic dienone cores containing several quaternary carbon centers. The scope and the limitations of this process, including the study of its stereoselectivity, are described in this article. As a direct application of this stereoselective process, we describe the formal synthesis of (-)-platensimycin, an important antibiotic agent.

The intramolecular cyclocarbonylation of substituted 2-(2-iodophenoxy)anilines was catalyzed by PdI(2) and 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phospha-adamantane (Cytop 292) in an efficient manner. A series of substituted dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)-ones were prepared in good yields under mild reaction conditions.

Hydroxymethylphenols strategically substituted with the 2-hydroxy-2-adamantyl moiety, AdPh 8-10, were synthesized, and their photochemical reactivity was investigated. On excitation to the singlet excited state, AdPh 8 undergoes intramolecular proton transfer coupled with a loss of H(2)O giving quinone methide 8QM. The presence of 8QM has been detected by laser flash photolysis (CH(3)CN-H(2)O 1:1, tau = 0.55 s) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Singlet excited states of AdPh 9 and 10 in the presence of H(2)O dehydrate giving 9QM and 10QM. Photochemically formed QMs are trapped by nucleophiles giving the addition products (e.g., Phi for methanolysis of 8 is 0.55). In addition, the zwitterionic 9QM undergoes an unexpected rearrangement involving transformation of the 2-phenyl-2-adamantyl cation into the 4-phenyl-2-adamantyl cation (Phi approximately 0.03). An analogous rearrangement was observed with methoxy derivatives 9a and 10a. Zwitterionic 9QM was characterized by LFP in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (tau = 1 mus). In TFE, in the ground state, AdPh 10 is in equilibrium with 10QM, which allowed for recording the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the QM. Introduction of the adamantyl substituent into the o-hydroxymethylphenol moiety increased the quantum yield of the associated QM formation by up to 3-fold and significantly prolonged their lifetimes. Furthermore, adamantyl substituent made the study of the alkyl-substituted quinone methides easier by LFP by prolonging their lifetimes and increasing the quantum yields of formation.

Adamantane-based macrocycles and a cage with aromatic ring moieties have been developed and structurally revealed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The dimerized (1) and trimerized (2) macrocycles of binary molecules based on adamantane with acetylenic aromatic ring moieties were designed and effectively synthesized. Similarly, a cryptand-like macrobicyclic cage (3) was constructed from a trisubstituted adamantane derivative. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that both cyclic compounds have nearly a rectangular shape with or without a solvent molecule in the cavity. The macrobicyclic cage has an inner space and accommodates a chloroform molecule via C-H...pi interactions. Macrocycles and cage encapsulate 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (4) as an electron-poor guest in a one-to-one complex via charge-transfer interactions in a parallel fashion, and showed the formation of molecular networks such as columns, tubes, 2D layers, and 3D networks composed of two different types through noncovalent interactions in the solid state.

The construction of a highly functionalized adamantane core of plukenetione-type polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) is described. The method features the construction of the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core (3) by successive Michael reactions and the construction of the adamantane core of plukenetione-type PPAPs by acid-catalyzed cyclization of a bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane precursor (2).

Selective fluorination of adamantanes was achieved by the electrochemical fluorination method, using Et 3N-5HF as electrolyte and a fluorine source. Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrafluoroadamantanes were selectively prepared from adamantanes by controlling the oxidation potential, and the fluorine atoms were introduced selectively at the tertiary carbons. Adamantanes that have functional groups such as ester, cyano, and acetoxymethyl were also fluorinated selectively.

We present two new synthetic strategies to rigid multivalent scaffolds of the general structure 1 based on adamantane. Both routes start from arylated adamantane derivatives and give the target compounds 12 and 18 in 5 and 7 steps, respectively. These scaffolds have been designed for the assembly of multivalent binders for cell surface epitopes. The adamantane nucleus exposes three carboxylic acid groups in a well-defined tripodal geometry for conjugation of targeting ligands. In addition, an amino group at the fourth bridgehead position provides a flexible linker for attachment of effector molecules such as contrast agents, radiotracers, or cytotoxins without interfering with the cell binding process.

The highly stereocontrolled synthesis of the 3-amino-3-deoxy-beta-mannopyranosides is achieved by means of thioglycoside donors protected with a 4,6-O-benzylidene or alkylidene acetal and a benzylidene imine group. Among the various nitrogen protecting groups investigated only the Schiff's base was found to give high beta-selectivity. N-Phthalimido and N-acetamido protected donors were found to be highly alpha-selective, whereas 3-azido-3-deoxy glycosyl donors gave intermediate selectivity. The reasons for the protecting group dependency are discussed in terms of the change in the O2-C2-C3-N3 torsional interaction on conversion of the covalent glycosyl triflates to the transient oxacarbenium ions.

Secondary 5-X-adamant-2-yl cations IX (X = F, Si(CH3)3) have been generated in the gas phase (total pressure = 760 Torr) from protonation-induced defluorination of epimeric 2-F-5-X-adamantanes 1X and their kinetic diastereoselectivity toward CH318OH investigated in the 40-160 degrees C range. The experimental results indicate that the facial selectivity of IX is insensitive to the composition of the starting 1X epimers as well as to the presence and the concentration of a powerful base (N(C2H5)3). This kinetic picture, supported by B3LYP/6-31G* calculations, is consistent with a single stable pyramidalized structure for IX, that is, (Z)-5-F-adamant-2-yl (I(Z)F) and (E)-5-Si(CH3)3-adamant-2-yl cations (I(E)Si). The temperature dependence of the IX diastereoselectivity lends support to the intermediacy of noncovalent adducts [IX*CH318OH], characterized by a specific C2-H+...O18(H)CH3 hydrogen bonding interaction. Their conversion to the covalently bonded O-methylated (Z)- (II(Z)X) and (E)-5-X-adamantan-2-ols (II(E)X; X = F, Si(CH3)3) is governed by activation parameters, whose magnitude depends on the specific IX face accommodating CH318OH. The gas-phase diastereoselectivity of IX toward CH318OH is compared to that exhibited in related gas-phase and solution processes. The emerging picture indicates that the factors determining the diastereoselectivity of IX toward simple nucleophiles in the gaseous and condensed media are completely different.

A route has been paved toward the preparation of triazole glycocluster libraries via the copper(I)-catalyzed modern version of the classical Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides to alkynes. Up to four 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole rings bearing carbon-linked glycosyl fragments were constructed on various scaffolds via multiple cycloadditions of suitably polyfunctionalized calix[4]arene, adamantane, and benzene derivatives with ethynyl and azidomethyl C-glycosides. Each cycloaddition occurred with high regioselectivity to give exclusively the 1,4-disubstituted triazole ring in very high yield up to an average value of 98%. The high degree of efficiency of this approach and its wide scope constitute a simple and practical means for the attachment of various sugar units to polyfunctionalized substrates.

B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and MP2/6-31+G(d) computations were performed on a series of ethynyl- and diethynyl-expanded tetrahedranes, prismanes, cubanes and adamantanes. Every ethynyl expansion reduces the ring strain energy of the cage. The deprotonation energies of the cage poly-ynes are exceptionally low; we estimate that the gas-phase deprotonation energy of the diethynyl-expanded cubane is about 309 kcal mol(-1). The ring and cage poly-ynes can serve as effective hosts of either lithium or sodium cation, where the best host maximizes the number of interactions of alkynyl groups with the cation at an ideal distance. Last, the vertical excitation energies of the poly-ynes and their conjugate bases suggest that the alkynyl groups are interacting through space. The poly-ynes express a broad range of absorption energies, indicating that these molecules are potential targets in expressly designed optical applications.

[structure: see text] The activation energy in the gas phase (deltaE(double dagger)) and the free energy of activation (deltaG(double dagger)) in water solution for the hydrolysis of the monohydrates of methyl chloride (MeCl), tert-butyl chloride (t-BuCl), and 1-adamantyl chloride (AdCl) have been computed with the B3LYP/631-G(d) method and the polarizable continuum (PCM) solvation model. There is a fair agreement between the deltaG(double dagger) values computed by us and the experimental data. The mechanistic implications of our computations are in severe contradiction with conventional representations. Thus, the computed nucleophilic solvent assistance (NSA) for the backside attack of a water molecule in the hydrolysis of MeCl is slightly lower than the corresponding NSA for t-BuCl. Hence, the hydrolysis of both MeCl and t-BuCl takes place mainly according to the classical S(N)2 mechanism. The most relevant difference is that deltaG(double dagger) for the frontside attack of water to t-BuCl is disfavored only by ca. 2 kcal/mol with regard to the backside attack but by ca. 23 kcal/mol in the case of MeCl. The higher solvolysis rate in water of t-BuCl in relation to AdCl is not due to steric factors affecting the specific solvation of the corresponding transition states, but to differential bulk solvent effects, which are accounted for by the PCM model.

Single electron reduction of the 1,2,4-trioxane heterocycle of artemisinin (1) forms primary and secondary carbon-centered radicals. The complex structure of 1 does not lend itself to a satisfactory dissection of the electronic and steric effects that influence the formation and subsequent reaction of these carbon-centered free radicals. To help demarcate these effects, we characterized the reactions of achiral dispiro-1,2,4-trioxolane 4 and dispiro-1,2,4-trioxanes 5-7 with ferrous bromide and 4-oxo-TEMPO. Our results suggest a small preference for attack of Fe(II) on the nonketal peroxide oxygen atom of 1. For 4, but not for 5 and 6, there was a strong preference for attack of Fe(II) on the less hindered peroxide bond oxygen atom. The steric hindrance afforded by a spiroadamantane in a five-membered trioxolane is evidently much greater than that for a corresponding six-membered trioxane. Unlike 1, 5-7 fragment by entropically favored beta-scission pathways forming relatively stable alpha-oxa carbon-centered radicals. These data suggest that formation of either primary or secondary carbon-centered radicals is a necessary but insufficient criterion for antimalarial activity of 1 and synthetic peroxides.

[reaction: see text] A series of new adamantyl-oligoethyleneglycol-fullerene hybrids was prepared via Bingel-Hirsch functionalization of the C60 fullerene with various adamantyl-oligoethyleneglycol malonates. As NMDA-targeted antioxidants, these compounds may have the potential to be developed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological disorders.

The synthesis of four novel nanoscale 1,3,5,7-tetrasubstituted adamantanes 22 and 25-27 designed for atomic force microscopy (AFM) applications is described. Each tetrahedrally shaped molecule incorporates a broad tripodal base made up of three identical legs that terminate with a sulfur-containing moiety, which is either a 4-acetylsulfanylmethylphenyl unit or else a (1,2,5-dithiazepan-1-yl)phenyl unit. The sulfur atoms are intended for eventual binding of the molecule multivalently to the apex of a gold-coated commercial AFM tip through formation of multiple S-Au bonds. In each molecule, the fourth terminus is a para-substituted benzoic acid methyl ester that is designed to scan the sample. We demonstrate that 27 is sufficiently large and rigid to be imaged by a conventional AFM tip. Adamantanes 22 and 25-27 may also find application as chemically well-defined nanoscale objects for calibration of AFM tips.

When a 1-adamantyl or a 2-adamantyl substituent is introduced at the 2-position in N-methylpiperidine, four different chair conformations are possible. Experimental observation using dynamic NMR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics calculations agree that the chair conformation with an equatorial adamantyl group and an axial methyl group is by far the most stable, but in both cases a minor population of a second conformation is demonstrated and characterized. Interaction between adamantyl and methyl groups is much more conformation-determining than any preference for equatorial over axial location which predominates in simpler 2-substituted N-methylpiperidines.

A similar viscosity dependence of the CIEEL efficiencies for the para- and meta-substituted spiroadamantyl dioxetanes 1 has been observed, which implies that an electron-transfer mechanism operates through solvent-caged species for both regioisomers. The pronounced difference in the chemiexcitation yields for the meta- and para-substituted dioxetanes is rationalized in terms of the much larger (ca. 200-fold) rate constant for the electron back-transfer (BET) step to afford the excited meta CIEEL emitter. An in-depth kinetic analysis of the viscosity effect on the excited-state generation for the para versus meta regioisomers supports this conclusion.