An interesting intramolecular transfer of an acetal alkoxy group is observed in the alkaline alcoholysis and in reduction by LNH 4 of a-methyl-a-((l-tert-butoxy-2-methyl-2, 3- epoxypropyl) o~)-~-propiolac~ ne (3a). With either methanol or ethanol and NaOH at 30 OC, the (glycidy1oxy) propiolactone 3a cleaves to produce a-methylglycidaldehyde and either methyl or ethyl a-tert-butoxy-0-hydroxyisobutyrate. Reduction with LiAlH4 at 30 OC also ...