Electronic excited states of small ring compounds. IV. Bicyclo[2.1.0]pentanes by the photocycloaddition of cyclopropenes to olefins

Abstract

Direct irradiation of the charge-transfer complex between the cyclopropenes 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-diphenylcyclopropene (3) and 1,2,3-triphenylcyclopropene (7), and the electron deficient olefins dimethyl fumarate (5) and maleic anhydride (11) resulted in formation of the cycloadducts 6, 12–15 which are the bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane derivatives. These products were also formed when the reaction was photosensitized by triplet–triplet transfer. The structure of the adducts rests largely upon the interpretation of 13C and 1H nmr spectra. Nuclear Overhauser effect studies were used to assign stereochemistry. The thermal stability of these new bicyclo[2.1.0]-pentane derivatives has been examined, particularly with regard to the ring-flipping process and the rearrangement to the corresponding cyclopentene derivatives.