Interconversion of Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yne and 5-Bicyclo[2.1.1]hexylidenecarbene

This work provides unambiguous results for the full equilibration of cycloalkyne 2 with its isomeric ring-contracted vinylidene 3 prior to their reaction with 2,3-dihydropyran (4), as evidenced by the products formed when 2 and 3 are produced directly from their precursors having bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl and bicyclo[2.1.1]hexyl skeletons, respectively.