Preparation and reactions of some 2,2-difunctional 1,1-dibromocyclopropanes

The synthesis of 2,2-dibromocyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acids is described. Reaction of substituted 1,1-dibromo-2-acyloxymethylcyclopropanes with methyl lithium at low temperature leads to a bromine–lithium exchange and then either formal protonation to give the corresponding monobromocyclopropanes or intramolecular cyclisation to give a substituted 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane. Oxidative ring opening of these compounds leads stereoselectively to 1,1,2,2-tetrasubstituted cyclopropanes with four functionalities on the ring.