Acyclic Stereoselection in the Ortho Ester Claisen Rearrangement

The ortho ester Claisen rearrangement of trisubstituted allylic alcohols exhibits significant levels of diastereoselection. In E allylic alcohols, a 1,3-diaxial interaction develops in the chairlike transition state leading to the anti isomer, rendering the reaction syn selective by a factor of 3-5 to 1. In Z allylic alcohols, the 1,3-diaxial interaction develops in the transition state leading to the syn isomer, generating an anti:syn selectivity of 6-15 to 1. The relative stereochemistry of the syn isomer was confirmed independently by the synthesis of the mycotoxin botryodiplodin.