The Synthesis of Asymmetrically Labeled 5-Norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic Anhydride

Procedures are described for a synthesis of 5-norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylica nhydride stereospecifically labeled with ^(14)C in one carbonyl group and for the degradation of the anhydride to determine which carbonyl group was labeled. The particular method of synthesis was found to give the labeled anhydride with ^(14)C in that carbonyl group which corresponds in position to the carboxyl group of the levorotatory 2-endo-norbornanecarboxylic acid.