Anchimeric assistance in vapor-phase acetate thermolysis†‡

The occurrence of anchimeric assistance in the vapor-phase thermolysis of anti- and syn-7-acetoxy-7-methylnorbornene and 7-acetoxy-7-methylnorborane has been investigated. The relative rates of thermolysis were found to be 1.9, 0.87, and 1.0, respectively. The nature of the transition state for ester thermolysis is discussed in light of the small amount of anchimeric assistance found in the thermolysis of the anti-isomer.