Conformational analysis: IX–a 300 MHz study of 4-vinylbutyrolactone

The 300 MHz ¹H NMR spectrum of 4-vinylbutyrolactone has been recorded and analysed. The results showed that the compound is a mixture of two rapidly interconverting envelope forms in which (C-3) is the flap atom. The vinyl group favours the pseudo-equatorial orientation by 1·9 ± 0.3 kJ mol^?1, as shown by the dependence of the vicinal coupling constants on temperature.