Synthesis and Characterization of Stereospecific 1-Propargyl-2-(dimethoxymethyl)-1- cyclohexanols

Stereochemical isomers with hydroxy groups were synthesized by reacting 2-(dimethoxy-methyl)cyclohexanone with propargylmagnesium bromide. The stereo chemical structures were identified by NMR spectral interpretation and the geometry optimization. To assist the NMR interpretation, geometry optimization based on semi-empirical AM1 and PM3 methods was applied. Throughout this study, the structures of the two isomers were all determined and $^{1}H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra were fully assigned. It was proven that the less polar isomer is an axial alcohol and the more polar one is an equatorial alcohol.