Rearrangement thermique des α-ceto, α-cyano epoxydes en dioxoles : Etude du mecanisme de la reaction

The thermolysis of α-cyano α-keto epoxides to give dioxoles is a new rearrangement. The reactivity of the epoxides is dependent upon the nature of the substituents on the epoxide ring, and solvent polarity. When the reaction is carried in the presence of benzaldehyde, a 1,3 cycloadduct is obtained. These results are in good agreement with a carbonyl ylide intermediate.