Abstract
The stereoselectivity of the reaction between methyl vinyl ketone dimer, which contains two possible sites of chelation, and zinc borohydride or diisobutylaluminum hydride has been studied in order to illuminate the factors involved in the high levels of asymmetric induction obtained in the bicyclic system. The conditions for the formation of the exo-5,7-dimethyl-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane are DIBAH reduction of MVK dimer in ether at reflux followed by acidic cyclizatioan, and for the endo isomer are $Zn(BH_4)_2$ reduction with $ZnCl_2$ at $0^{\circ}C.$.
