Preparation, metallation and alkylation of allenyl ethers

TLDR: Propargyl ethers HCCCH2OR [R = alkyl or-CH(CH8)(OC2H5)] have been isomerized with good yields into the corresponding allenyl ether's CH2CCHOR by warming with potassium tert-butoxide at 70°.

Abstract: Propargyl ethers HCCCH2OR [R = alkyl or-CH(CH8)(OC2H5)] have been isomerized with good yields into the corresponding allenyl ethers CH2CCHOR by warming with potassium tert.-butoxide at 70°. These allenyl ethers can be metallated with butyllithium in ether or alkali amides in liquid ammonia. In ether, subsequent alkylation with alkyl halides R′Hal affords α-substituted allenyl ethers CH2CC(R′)OR. Alkylation in liquid ammonia produces a mixture of this same compound and the γ-substituted product R′CHCCHOR. In both cases reasonable yields are obtained. Sodamide and potassium amide quickly convert allenyl ethers CH2CCHOR into metallated propargyl ethers MCC-CH2OR (M = Na or K). If alkylation is not performed almost simultaneously with the metallation with sodamide or potassium amide, the only alkylation product obtained is R′CCCH2OR.