Synthetic studies of carzinophilin. Part 1: Synthesis of 2-methylidene-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems related to carzinophilin

Synthesis of the model compounds of carzinophilin carrying 2-methylidene-1-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems was achieved. Formation of malonylidenes or N-acyl-glycinylidenepyrrolidines was carried out by utilizing Eschenmoserʹs sulfide contraction or Herdeisʹs condensation between the 2-methylthio-Δ1-pyrrolone derivatives and ethyl nitroacetate, respectively. The 1-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane systems were constructed by base-promoted aziridine formation.