Abstract
The reactions between four gem-dihalides 1, 2, 3, and 4 and styrene in the presence of copper-1,10-phenanthroline complexes were investigated. The formation of a cyclopropane derivative was only observed in the case of dimethyl dibromomalonate 1, while with the other gem-dihalides the addition products were formed by a radical chain addition mechanism. A study by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry showed that the reduction of 1 by the copper(I) complex is a redox catalysis which is kinetically controlled by the rate of the concerted electron-transfer carbon-bromine bond-breaking. In the presence of styrene the formation of the cyclopropane proceeds by a radical addition followed by a concerted electron-transfer bond-breaking process.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
