Controllable Skeleton Rearrangement of 3‐Substituted Cyclobutanones under Basic Conditions†

Divergent skeleton rearrangements of cyclobutanones under simply basic conditions have been described. The reaction pathway is controlled by the nature of Z group on 3‐substituted cyclobutanones, leading to the formation of various lactones, lactams and acids. Preliminary results on enantioselective reaction were also reported.