Norcamphor


Norcamphor is an organic compound, classified as a bicyclic ketone. It is an analog of camphor, but without the three methyl groups. A colorless solid, it is used as a building block in organic synthesis.

Synthesis and reactions

Norcamphor was prepared from a Diels-alder reaction of cyclopentadiene and vinyl acetate, followed by oxidation with chromic acid in acetic acid solution. A more recent synthesis produces norbornene via the 2-formate ester, oxidized with chromic acid in acetone. It is a precursor to norborneols. The enzymatically mediated Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of norcamphor gives the lactone.