2,3-Wittig rearrangement
The [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement is the transformation of an allylic ether into a homoallylic alcohol via a concerted, pericyclic process. Because the reaction is concerted, it exhibits a high degree of stereocontrol, and can be employed early in a synthetic route to establish stereochemistry. The Wittig rearrangement requires strongly basic conditions, however, as a carbanion intermediate is essential. [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement is a competitive process.
[2,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangements occur for a variety of groups X and Y (see below). When X is a carbanion and Y an alkoxide, the rearrangement is called the [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement and the products are pent-1-en-5-ols. The [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement, which produces isomeric pent-5-en-1-ols, is a competitive process that takes place at high temperatures. Because of the high atom economy and stereoselectivity of the [2,3]-rearrangement, it has gained considerable synthetic utility. The carbanion is generated by direct lithiation of moderately acidic substrates, tin transmetallation, or reductive lithiation of O,S-acetals. Stereoselective methods employing chiral starting materials have been used to effect either asymmetric induction or simple diastereoselection
(1)
After carbanion formation, the [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement is rapid and selective at low temperatures. However, if the reaction mixture is allowed to reach temperatures above −60 °C, [1,2]-rearrangement becomes competitive.
(2)
The postulated transition state possesses a five-membered, envelope-like structure. The group attached to the carbanion (G) can occupy either a pseudoequatorial or pseudoaxial position, although the former is usually preferred. Large substituents on the other side of the ether oxygen prefer to occupy the exo position (RE) to avoid A1,3 strain. These restrictions lead to a preference for the syn product from (Z) isomers and anti products from (E) isomers; however, some exceptions to this rule are known.
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