Role of cyclopropanes as activating groups during oxidation reactions with RuO4 generated in situ

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00325-5

Ruthenium tetroxide generated in situ under the Sharpless conditions was applied to different hydrocarbons containing cyclopropane groups either spiroanellated or ring-fused. In all cases oxidation occurred exclusively at the positions α to the cyclopropyl group to give ketones. Ring cleavage was observed when such positions were tertiary.