Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula I or II:—wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, or aralkynyl group, that may be substituted or unsubstituted, and that optionally includes at least one heteroatom in its carbon skeleton; R1 is hydrogen, or an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or aralkyl group; and R2 is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, or aralkynyl group containing 4-12 carbon atoms, that may be substituted or unsubstituted, and that optionally includes at least one heteroatom in its carbon skeleton; provided that in a compound of formula I, when R1 is an iso-propyl or phenyl group, R2 is not an acetyl or tert-butyldimethylsilyl group; and their use in therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula I or II: —wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, or aralkynyl group, that may be substituted or unsubstituted, and that optionally includes at least one heteroatom in its carbon skeleton; R1 is hydrogen, or an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or aralkyl group; and R2 is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, or aralkynyl group containing 4-12 carbon atoms, that may be substituted or unsubstituted, and that optionally includes at least one heteroatom in its carbon skeleton; provided that in a compound of formula I, when R1 is an iso-propyl or phenyl group, R2 is not an acetyl or tert-butyldimethylsilyl group; and their use in therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods.

Abstract: Lactams of 1-amino-3-carboxylic acid cyclic compounds are produced in enantiomeric form, together with an enantiomer of the corresponding ring-opened amino-acid or ester, by reaction of the racemic lactam with a novel lactamase. The products are useful in the synthesis of chiral carbocyclic nucleotides. The enantiomer is preferrably 2-azabicyclo(2.2.1)hept-5-en-3-one. It is desirable to isolate the enantiomer comprising predominantly the (+) enantiomer and a residual amount of the (-) enantiomer, wherein the (+) enantiomer is present in an enantiomeric excess of at least about 88% over the (-) enantiomer or the enantiomer comprising predominantly the (-) enantiomer and a residual amount of the (+) enantiomer, wherein the (-) enantiomer is present in an enantiomeric excess of at least about 98% over the (+) enantiomer.

Abstract: Lactams of 1-amino-3-carboxylic acid cyclic compounds are produced in enantiomeric form, together with an enantiomer of the corresponding ring-opened amino-acid or ester, by reaction of the racemic lactam with a novel lactamase. The products are useful in the synthesis of chiral carbocyclic nucleotides.

Abstract: A novel 3-endo-protected hydroxyl-tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is described which can be alkylated stereospecifically to give a 5-endo-protected hydroxyl-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptan-2-one which may then be converted via a sequence of reactions into prostaglandins of the F-series having a protecting group at the 9-position. The synthesis of the tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to (1.alpha., 2.alpha., 4.alpha., 6.alpha.)-3-oxatricyclo[4.2.0.0.sup.2,4 ]octane-7-one and derivatives thereof in which the ketone group is protected, which compounds are useful intermediates in the preparation of natural and synthetic prostaglandins. Processes for the preparation of these compounds are described and exemplified as are processes for their conversion into known prostaglandin intermediates.

Abstract: The stereospecific alkylation of a novel 3-endo-protected hydroxyl-tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is described using a range of lithium-, copper or magnesium-containing organometallic reagents. This reaction provides a 5-endo-protected hydroxyl-bicyclo[2,2,1]-heptan-2-one system from which prostaglandin compounds of the F series having a protecting group at the 9-position hydroxyl group may readily be obtained by a sequence of reactions.

Abstract: A novel 3-endo-protected hydroxyl-tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]-heptan-6-one is described which can be alkylated stereospecifically to give a 5-endo-protected hydroxyl-bicyclo [2,2,1]heptan-2-one which may then be converted via a sequence of reactions into prostaglandins of the F-series having a protecting group at the 9-position. The synthesis of the tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is also described.