“…First of all, if we consider that an energy difference of 2.5 kcal/mol in the transition state corresponds to the limit of detection of the 1 H-NMR analysis that we performed, we see that the minor diastereoisomer (2S,3S)-2, which results from C(a)-si attack, originates from the bis(syn-s-cis) conformation and possesses the smallest transition state intrinsic dipole moment. Leaving aside steric and stereoelectronic considerations related to the approach of the diene [3], this is thus the less disfavored transition state in apolar solvents 11 ).…”