Synthesis of tertiary alcohol from secondary alcohol via intramolecular CH insertion of alkylidenecarbene

Abstract

Alkylidenecarbene generated by the reaction of dimethyl (diazomethyl)phosphonate and pyruvate did not render a 1,5 CH insertion, but gave an unusual product. In contrast, 2-oxopropyl ether was cleanly transformed into a cyclized product, from which functionalized tertiary alcohol was derived.