SYNTHESIS OF BICYCLOPROPYL DERIVATIVES FROM THE REACTION OF CYCLOPROPYLCARBENE-CHROMIUM COMPLEXES WITH ALKENES

The reaction of cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complexes with alkenes has been examined. The reaction leads to cyclopropylcyclopropane derivatives in good yield, accompanied by minor amounts of ring-opened products. Conjugated dienes and alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and amides appear to be suitable substrates for the reaction. The products of the reaction are donor-acceptor substituted cyclopropanes and are further susceptible to transformations typical of this class of compounds.