Abstract: The uncatalyzed acetolysis of bicyclo [2.1. O] pentane (1) leads to 47% cyclopentyl acetate and 53% cyclopentene. The reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid in acetic acid is much more rapid and leads to 30% cyclopentyl acetate, 24% cyclopentyl tosylate, and 46% cyclopentene. The rate of acetolysis is decreased by a factor of 2.55 on going to AcOD as the solvent, indicating that proton transfer is at least partially rate determining. The ...