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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 73, 2007
mixture of compounds was formed, the composition of which changed with time. Thereby implicated
was an appreciable sensitivity of the products being formed. Acetic acid generated in the course of this
otherwise mild reaction could be inducing decomposition. Attempts were therefore made to carry out the
process in the presence of reagents (e.g., calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and propylene oxide)
capable of removing any acid formed. Unfortunately, these modifications did not change the outcome.
Many other routes pursued in the quest for 3 have proven equally unsuccessful.9 Thus, the statement put
forth in the title is offered as a challenge awaiting resolution.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank The Ohio State University for partial financial support.
REFERENCES AND NOTES
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13. Although two isomeric di(bis)-spiro acetals can in principle be formed from 16, neither was found
in the complex reaction mixtures.