Deprotonation of an ester at the α-position generates an enolate ion which then undergoes a 5-exo-trig nucleophilic attack to give a cyclic enol. Protonation with a Brønsted-Lowry acid (H3O+ for example) re-forms the β-keto ester.[5]
Due to the steric stability of five- and six-membered rings, these structures will preferentially be formed. 1,6 diesters will form five-membered cyclic β-keto esters, while 1,7 diesters will form six-membered β-keto esters.[6]
^Davis, B. R.; Garrett, P. J. Compr. Org. Synth. 1991, 2, 806-829. (Review)
^Kwart, Harold; King, Kenneth (1969). "Rearrangement and cyclization reactions of carboxylic acids and esters". In S. Patai (ed.). PATAI'S Chemistry of Functional Groups: Carboxylic Acids and Esters (1969). pp. 341–373. doi:10.1002/9780470771099.ch8. ISBN9780470771099.
^Schaefer, J. P.; Bloomfield, J. J. (1967). "The Dieckmann Condensation (Including the Thorpe-Ziegler Condensation)". Organic Reactions. 15: 1–203. doi:10.1002/0471264180.or015.01. ISBN0471264180.