Functionalized α-bromocyclopropylmagnesium bromides: Generation and some reactions

Abstract

Functional derivatives of gem-dibromocyclopropanes (ethers and esters of gemdibromocyclopropylmethanol, 2,2-dibromocyclopropanecarboxylic acids and their esters) undergo partial hydrodebromination at the treatment with isopropyl magnesium bromide (3–6 mol-equiv) in THF and then in methanol at −60°C affording the corresponding monobromides in 64–95% yields. The addition of nonsolvated magnesium bromide to the reaction mixture results in the considerable reduction of the amount of the Grignard reagent (from 6 to 3 mol-equiv). This allows achieving the partial hydrodebromination of 2,2-dibromocyclopropanecarboxylic acids.