ChemInform Abstract: Generation of α-Alkoxycarbonyl Alkylidenecarbenes: Synthesis of t-Butyl Cyclopentenecarboxylates

Triflates of 2-hydroxymethytene t-butyl esters, derived from simple t-butyl esters, were treated with potassium t-butoxide in THF to generate alkylidenecarbenes. At room temperature, they underwent intramolecular 1,5 C-H insertion giving t-butyl cyclopentenecarboxylates.