Provided is a process for the preparation of certain 1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives. The new synthetic procedure involves treating 1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a transition metal catalyst comprising a palladium compound to afford certain oxo-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane species. The process of the invention thus affords a novel and simplified means for the commercial production of a wide variety of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives.
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