A novel rearrangement of 2-bromo-1-(bromomethyl)ethyl esters into the corresponding
2-oxopropyl derivatives is reported. The mechanism of this transformation was studied
by means of 18O- and 2H-labeling experiments. The reaction proceeds through a transient dioxolane intermediate
that is hydrolyzed to form the corresponding 2-oxopropyl acetate.
Key words
esters - halogens - ketones - rearrangements