“…Adamantan-2-one ( 5a ) can be regarded as a cyclohexanone derivative which is sterically and electronically symmetrized in both the axial and equatorial directions by means of additional bridging of the cyclohexanones ( A1 ) and is also conformationally rigid. Facial selectivity of 5-substituted adamantan-2-ones ( A2 ) was initially studied by Giddings and Hudec, followed by intensive studies by le Noble's group ,− on the adamantan-2-ones themselves and related analogues. Electron-withdrawing groups such as phenyl ( 5b ), fluoro ( 5c ), hydroxyl, and trifluoromethyl groups at the 5-position favored syn addition of the reducing agent (NaBH 4 ) (with respect to the substituent at the 5-position). , For example, in the hydride reduction with NaBH 4 of 5-phenyladamantan-2-one 5b , syn addition was favored over anti addition (syn:anti = 58:42).…”