Synthesis of a novel C3-symmetric arsine and its application in stereoselective cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins

A novel C3-symmetric arsine was synthesized from p-arsanilic acid in three steps. It was employed in the one-pot cyclopropanation of olefins with carbonyl-stabilized arsonium ylides formed in situ from methyl bromoacetate in the presence of NaHCO3. This new arsine demonstrates good stereoselectivity and activity in the one-pot cyclopropanation of arylidenemalononitrile.