Vinylcyclopropyl carbonate

Alkylidenecydopropane derivatives can readily be prepared by the reaction of 1 with vinylcyclopropyl carbonates and subsequent trapping of the resulting allyltitaniums with aldehydes or ketones (Eq. 9.24) [44], It should be noted that, in this case, the carbon—carbon bond formation occurs at the less substituted allylic terminus, and not at the more substituted end of the titanium reagent, the latter being the position at which addition to substituted allyltitanium reagents is usually observed. 

Reactions with seven- to nine-membered cydic allylic carbonates or halides give the corresponding cydic allyltitanium compounds. These reagents add to aldehydes and imines with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities [59]. The allyltitanium compound generated from 1-vinylcyclopropyl carbonate reacts regioselectively with aldehydes and ketones at the less substituted carbon atom to provide alkylidenecydopropane derivatives, as shown in Scheme 13.29 [60], The regiochemical outcome of the reaction can be rationalized by assuming an equilibrium between two allyltitanium spedes that favors the less strained tertiary structure. 

Scheme 13.29. Regioselective conversion of 1-vinylcyclopropyl carbonate into alkylidenecydopropane derivatives.

T -dienyliron cations (Scheme 4-97) (c/ Section 2.5.2.b). Oxidatively induced reductive elimination of (pentenediyl)iron complexes gives vinylcyclopropanesJ 2-226] Depending on the substitution pattern and the conditions applied in some cases the reaction proceeds with retention of the configuration, whereas sometimes inversion of the configuration at the vinylcyclopropyl carbon is observed in combination with an inversion of the configuration at the double bond. The latter has been proven by monodeuteration of the terminal vinylic carbon atom. ... 

Naturally occurring compounds that possess as part of their structures bicyclo[5.3.0]decane and bicy-clo[5.4.0]undecane skeletons are very common in the terpenoid family of natural products. Since both of these carbon frameworks are readily prepared by sigmatropic rearrangement of 3-(2-vinylcyclopropyl) enones, it is not surprising that this method has been applied to the total synthesis of terpenoids. 

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