Unusually fast [1,3] sigmatropic shifts

Abstract
Four medium-sized-ring 1-vinyl alcohols including one benzo-derivative are shown to undergo [1,3] sigmatropic shifts at room temperature under the influence of potassium hydride and hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) whereas thermal rearrangement of the trimethylsilyloxy derivatives requires ca. 300 °C.