Conversion of 1-Methylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0²⋅⁶.0³⋅¹⁰.0⁵⋅⁹]undecane- 8,11-dione into the corresponding mono(ethylene ketal) followed by Wolff-Kishner reduction resulted in a mixture of two isomers (i.e., 1- and 7-methyl-8-[2',-(1',3',dioxolano)]pentacyclo[5.4.0.0²⋅⁶.0³⋅¹⁰.0⁵⋅⁹] undecane. Hydrolysis of each isomer in turn resulted in 1- and 7- methyl pentacyclo[5.4.0.0²⋅⁶.0³⋅¹⁰.0⁵⋅⁹ ]undecan-8-ones (i.e.,"methylated PCU-8-ones"), respectively. "Titanium-promoted reductive dimerization of each of the methylated pentacycloundecane (PCU)-8-ones afforded mixtures of "methylated PCU alkene dimers". Individual isomers have been isolated from these mixtures via column chromatography by using silver nitrate impregnated silica gel as adsorbent followed by fractional recrystallizations of individual chromatography fractions. Structures of three isomerically pure methylated PCU alkene dimers (C₂₄H₂₈) have been established unequivocally by application of single crystal X-ray crystallographic methods.

Two types of solder samples, pins and through-holes were tested by SERA™ (Sequential Electrochemical Reduction Analysis) and Wetting Balance after various length of steamaging treatment. It was shown that after steam-aging, both types of specimen gave a similar electrochemical reduction curve, and solderabilty predictions made from SERA™ test agree with results obtained from Wetting Balance test on a qualitative base. Wetting balance test of pin samples after SERA™ test confirmed that SERA™ is a non-destructive testing method -- it even restored solderability. Comparison of electrochemical reduction behavior of samples under different treatment indicates that steam-aging can not reproduce exactly the effect of naturally atmospheric aging, and may not be the best artificial accelerating environment adopted.