Convenient Synthesis of Ethenylcyclopropane and Some 2-Cyclopropylcyclopropane Derivatives [¹]

Abstract

Ethenylcyclopropane (5) was prepared from cyclopropyl methyl ketone (1) in four simple, easily scalable steps (bromination, reduction to the bromohydrin, acetylation of the latter, and reductive elimination with Zn/Cu) in an overall yield of 56%. 1-Bromo-2-cyclopropylcyclopropane (7) (approximately 1:1 mixture of cis- and trans-7) was prepared from 5 via the dibromide 6, and from 7 the boronate cis/trans-8 (ratio 1:1) was obtained in 96% yield. Rhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of 5 with ethyl diazoacetate gave ethyl 2-cyclopropylcyclopropanecarboxylate (cis/trans-9, ratio 1:1.4) in 80% yield. The latter was also prepared in 79% overall yield by sequential cyclopropanation of buta-1,3-diene with ethyl diazoacetate [under Rh₂(OAc)₄ catalysis] and diiodomethane/diethylzinc/trifluoroacetic acid. Curtius degradation of 2-cyclopropylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (obtained by hydrolysis of the ester) gave 2-cyclopropylcyclopropanamine (1:1.2 mixture of cis- and trans-isomers) in 58% yield.

bromination - reduction - elimination - alkenes - cyclopropanation - small rings

References

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