Bicyclic chiral compounds for asymmetric synthesis and enantiomer resolution

A compound of the general formula: in which each of R and R represents a hydrogen atom or methyl group or a group of the general formula -CH2.SO2NR R in which each of R and R independently represents an alkyl, cycloalkyl or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl group, each of R and R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X represents a group of formula C(CH3)2, or when both of R and R represent methyl groups, may also represent a group of formula CH2; Q represents an oxygen or sulphur atom and Y represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or alkaline earth metal atom of group, or a group of the general formula -COA, in which A represents a halogen atom, NHOH group, or the residue of an amine, amino acid, alcohol or thiol obtained by removal of a hydrogen atom from an NH, OH or SH group, or an alkyl, alkenyl cycloalkenyl or alkoxy group, each optionally substituted by an aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxy, halo, alkoxy, or acyl group. The compounds are useful in asymmetric synthesis and in resolution of enantiomers. Novel intermediates have the general formula: