3, 3-Dimethoxycyclopropene (I), synthesized as previously described, undergoes a ring- opening reaction under mild conditions, with a variety of alcohols to give the corresponding monoalkyl dimethyl orthoacrylates. These results are consistent with a mechanism which involves initial protonation of 1 followed by solvolysis of the intermediate allyl oxonium cation. Less mild conditions result in exchange reactions between the alcohol and the ...
