title: (1R,6R)-1-Methyl-8-aza-spiro-[5.6]dodecan-7-one.
abstract: The crystal structure of the title compound, C(12)H(21)NO, has been investigated to establish the absolute stereochemistry at position 1. The absolute stereochemistry at the quaternary centre at position 6 is established to be R using an asymmetric Birch reductive alkyl-ation reaction for which the stereochemical outcome is known. The crystal structure indicates the presence of two conformers of the bicyclic (1R,6R)-spiro-lactam ring system that differ in the conformation adopted by the six-membered ring. In one conformer, the meth-yl group adopts an axial position whereas in the other conformer, the same methyl group adopts an equatorial position. In both conformers, the seven-membered ring adopts a chair conformation. The two conformers of the bicyclic spiro-lactam are connected to each other via inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming a heterodimer. The asymmetric unit contains two such dimers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Univerisity of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stéphanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Guéret
authors.forename: Ka Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Peter D W
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brimble