Ynol Ethers from Dichloroenol Ethers: Mechanistic Elucidation Through 35CI Labeling

The mechanism of ynol ether formation from dichloroenol ethers, a decades-old transformation, has been studied by experimental and theoretical techniques to determine the relative importance of the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wichell rearrangement (alpha-elimination) and beta-elimination in the evolution of the intermediate carbenoid.