Switching between concerted and stepwise mechanisms for dyotropic rearrangements of β-lactones leading to spirocyclic, bridged γ-butyrolactones.

Quantum chemical computations (B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)) were applied to examine the mechanisms of dyotropic rearrangements of spirolactones in order to assess whether these reactions are concerted. Mechanistic experiments, designed on the basis of the results of these calculations, support the conclusions derived from theory. In particular, Zn(II) salts or Brønsted acids induce stepwise dyotropic processes, whereas dyotropic rearrangements mediated by silyltriflates are concerted processes. Additional products isolated with Zn(II) salts support a stepwise process with a carbocationic intermediate. Furthermore, a facile Grob-type fragmentation emanating from both a tricyclic-β-lactone and a spiro-γ-lactone was identified.