title: Regioselective and stereoselective cleavage of cis-4-methyl-2-vinyl-l,3-dioxane by alkyllithiums.
abstract: The reaction of alkyllithiums with cis-4-methyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxane proceeds in virtually quantitative yield via a formal S(N)2' ring opening that proceeds in a regioselective manner to give preferential cleavage of the C(2)-O(l) bond remote from the 4-methyl substituent, affording the E-enol ether as the major stereoisomer. A two-step mechanism, involving addition of the alkyllithium followed by syn-elimination of lithium alkoxide, is suggested to account for the stereochemical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, USA. bailey@uconnvm.-uconn.edu
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Lyn M J
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Zarcone