Access to functionalized cyclopropylcarbinyl compounds from homoallylic ethers via zirconocene intermediates

Cyclopropylcarbinylzirconium complexes were generated from homoallylic ethers and zirconocene (Cp2ZrCl2/2n-BuLi). They underwent further in situ transformations that is, bromination–substitution, transmetallation–functionalization and insertion reactions to afford various cyclopropylcarbinyl derivatives. In contrast, ring-opening products could be selectively obtained by treating the zirconium complex with MeLi, prior to functionalization.