Acyl Transfer-Driven Rauhut–Currier Dimerization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones

A serendipitous Rauhut–Currier dimerization of 1,1-disubstituted activated olefins derived from Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts was observed in the presence of DABCO. The reaction is driven by the migration of an acyl group and produces multifunctionalized enol esters in yields greater than 90% in most cases, without necessitating column chromatographic purification. The acyl transfer is thought to proceed via a transition state typical of a Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction, supported by a brief mechanistic study involving computational calculations.