The reaction of different substituted 2-norbornanones 1 with triflic anhydride in the presence of nitriles 6 is carried out in order to study the factors that influence on the different reaction possibilities of 2-norbornyl carbocations. The syntheses of interesting annulated pyrimidine derivatives 10 and conformationally rigid 1,3 disubstituted products are described. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.