Pericyclic Reactions: Sigmatropic Rearrangements
Sigmatropic Rearrangments: Examples for [n,m] Sigmatropic 10-Electron Systems
10-Electron systems
The [5,5] sigmatropic rearrangement of 2,4-pentadienylphenyl ethers can be considered a homologous Claisen rearrangement.
The major reaction is a Claisen rearrangement ([3,3] sigmatropic). In addition, formation of the para-substituted aromatic compound by a [5,5] sigmatropic rearrangement is being observed. A [3,5] sigmatropic rearrangement does not take place because, as a reaction with 8 electrons, it is suprafacially forbidden. The benzidine rearrangement represents another example of a [5,5] sigmatropic reaction.