Most cyclopropanes are not prepared from the parent cyclopropane, which is somewhat inert. Instead, cyclopropyl groups are often prepared by cyclization of 1,3-difunctional alkanes. An example of the former, cyclopropyl cyanide is prepared by the reaction of 4-chlorobutyronitrile with a strong base.[1] Phenylcyclopropane is produced analogously from the 1,3-dibromide.[2]
A second major route to cyclopropanes entails addition of methylene (or its substituted derivatives) to an alkene, a process called cyclopropanation.[3]
Substituted cyclopropanes undergo the reactions associated with the cyclopropyl ring or the substituents. Vinylcyclopropanes are a special case as they undergo vinylcyclopropane rearrangement.
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