“…Survey of [ 1,4] Sigmatropic Rearrangements.-Thermal [ 1,4] sigmatropic rearrangements may be categorised into three classes depending upon the intermediate, which may be cationic, anionic, or dipolar (ylide or betaine). Cationic [1,4] sigmatropic rearrangements are 4-electron processes and normally proceed in the [la,4,] mode which is associated with inversion of configuration at the terminus of the migrating group. In contrast, anionic and dipolar [ 1,4] sigmatropic rearrangements involve 6-electron [ lS,4J processes associated with retention of configuration at the terminus of the migrating group.…”