Gosteli-Claisen rearrangement: substrate synthesis, simple diastereoselectivity, and kinetic studies.

The results of kinetic studies on the uncatalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-substituted allyl vinyl ethers are reported. Apparently first reported by Gosteli in 1972, this variation of a Claisen rearrangement enjoyed a shadowy existence for three decades until its potential for the development of a catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement was discovered. Inspired by this development, we have studied substituent and solvent rate effects, and we provide evidence that a chairlike transition state is highly favorable for the uncatalyzed Gosteli-Claisen rearrangement.