Acetoxy-Substituted Cyclopropane Dicarbonyls as Stable Donor-Acceptor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes

A study of cyclopropanations of oxy-substituted ethenes with ethyl α-diazoaroyl acetates is described. Whereas trimethylsilyl vinyl ether and ethyl vinyl ether gave dihydrofuran products, stable cyclopropanes were isolated when vinyl acetate was used. Yields ranged from 0-87%, depending on the nature and position of the aryl ring substituent.