Sigmatropic Meerwein-Eschenmoser-Claisen

Sigmatropic rearrangement of A, 0-ketene acetals to yield Y,5-unsaturated amides. Since Eschenmoser was inspired by Meerwein s observations on the interchange of amide, the Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement is sometimes known as the Meerwein-Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement. 

The Meerwein-Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement is one of the most useful pericyclic reactions. In its basic form, it involves the conversion of an allylic alcohol 1 to a ketene N, 0-acetal 2, which undergoes rapid [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to yield a y,d-unsaturated amide 3 (Scheme 7.1). In accordance with the general electronic effects observed in Claisen rearrangements, the presence of an electron-donating amino substituent on the ketene acetal intermediate substantially increases the rate of the pericydic step. 

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