The behavior of three 0-substituted alkyl radicals, geometrically and energetically capable of “bridging,” has been examined in enyironments conducive to their rearrangement. Although the 8-carbethoxyalkyl radical generated by the decarbonylation of@, p- dicarbethoxyvaleraldehyde produced only unrearranged products, compelling evidence is presented for the 42 migration of an acetoxy group during the free-radical initiated ...