The Mechanism of the Free Radical Reduction of the Norbornyl-Nortricyclyl System

Assumption of a classical mechanism in the free radical reduction of norbornenyl or nortricycl bromide leads to measurable predictions about the relation between the ratio of the two products and the concentration of the hydrogen donor. Experimental work, using vpc analysis to determine the ratio of the products from the reaction of these bromides with tri-n-butyl tin and di-n-butyl tin hydride, shows that these predictions are fulfilled. It is concluded therefore, that such a classical mechanism is possible and that this mechanism is most probably the proper one for this reaction.