Observations on some Pd((0)) catalysed intermolecular reaction of electron deficient alkylidene cyclopropanes with olefins: A novel route to highly functionalised skipped diene units

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)01238-5

Methylene cyclopropanes 1 bearing an electron withdrawing group react under palladium (0) catalysis with electron poor olefins to give skipped dienes 2. This reaction, which is believed to proceed via hydride transfer, highlights the fact that the reactivity of methylene cyclopropanes can be dramatically influenced by the nature of ring substituents.