Lewis acid catalyzed ring-opening reactions of methylenecyclopropanes with diphenylphosphine oxide in the presence of sulfur or selenium

Abstract

Methylenecyclopropanes undergo an interesting Lewis acid-catalyzed ring-opening reaction with diphenylphosphine oxide in the presence of sulfur or selenium upon heating at 85 degrees C in 1,2-dichloroethane to give the corresponding homoallylic thiol or selenol derivatives in good to high yields.