Studies in claisen rearrangement. Novel thermal transformation of α-aryloxymethylacrylic acids and their derivatives

α-Aryloxymethylacrylic acids and their derivatives have been found to undergo some novel thermal transformations leading to the formation of 'ene' dimers. The structure of the dimer has been revised on the basis of degradation studies, extensive spectral data and isolation of intermediates. © 1985.