Wolff rearrangement

Schematic of the Wolff rearrangement. Reagents: alpha-diazo ketone, Silver oxide (Ag2O) catalyst, light, heat. Product: ketene.

The Wolff rearrangement is an organic reaction used to convert an α-diazo ketone to a ketene using a silver oxide catalyst, light, or thermal conditions. The mechanism of the Wolff rearrangement is essentially one step which is initiated by the catalyst. The reaction involves a 1,2-shift to form the ketene product and release a molecule of nitrogen gas. Subsequent attacks by nucleophiles to the ketene formed are also considered Wolff rearrangement. [1]

Mechanism

Mechanism of the Wolff rearrangement.

References:

1.
Wolff, L.; Krüche, R. Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1912, 394, 23–59.