A gold(I)-catalyzed cyclopropane-alkene metathesis has been demonstrated with two new families of cyclopropane derivatives of naphthalene and phenanthrene (benzo-fused norcaradienes). In this process, metal carbene units are transferred from a persistent cyclopropane to an alkene, upon release of naphthalene or phenanthrene, allowing the diastereoselective synthesis of a wide range of aryl and vinyl cyclopropanes.
Cyclopropane-Alkene Metathesis by Gold(I)-Catalyzed Decarbenation of Persistent Cyclopropanes
Org Biomol Chem 2019, 17, 4216-4219, DOI: 10.1039/C9OB00359B.