Silicon acceleration of a tandem alkene isomerization/electrocyclic ring-opening of 2-methyleneoxetanes to α,β-unsaturated methylketones

J Org Chem. 2013 Nov 15;78(22):11213-20. doi: 10.1021/jo4014645. Epub 2013 Oct 28.

Abstract

The first rearrangement of 2-methyleneoxetanes to α,β-unsaturated methylketones is reported. It is proposed that when these substrates are heated, the corresponding oxetenes are formed and subsequently undergo electrocyclic ring-opening to methyl vinylketones. In particular, α-silyl-α,β-unsaturated methylketones were isolated in moderate to high yields and with high stereoselectivities. Based on the proposed mechanism, density functional theory explains the differential kinetics and stereoselectivities among substrates.