The intramolecular thermolysis of organic compounds with an unsaturated functional group involving the transfer of a γ‐hydrogen to the unsaturated center via a six‐membered transition state to yield both ene and enophil is generally known as the
retro
‐ene reaction or
retro
‐ene fragmentation. The study finds that in most cases, this reaction involves a concerted mechanism, and gives a product with the stereochemical integrity preserved. This reaction does not take place among cyclic alkenes smaller than a seven‐membered ring or fused rings except for a cyclopropyl ring. This reaction has broad applications in organic synthesis.