Ring expansion of the 2-benzyl-2-norbornyl cation

Reaction of 2-exo-benzyIbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-endo-ol with HS0 3 F at -78 °C results in quantitative formation of the 6-phenylbicyclo[3.2.1]octan-6-yl cation via a mechanism which has been unambiguously elucidated by deuterium-labeling experiments. © 1987, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.