PROCESS FOR THE CYCLOPROPANATION OF OLEFINS USING N-METHYL-N-NITROSO COMPOUNDS

摘要

A process of converting a carbon-carbon double bond on a substrate into a cyclopropane ring, which method comprises the step of treating the substrate with a N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound, a transition metal catalyst and an aqueous base, wherein the N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound is formed by reacting an alkyl amine with an alkali metal nitrite in the presence of a mono-basic or di-basic acid, or a mixture thereof, and wherein the N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound is not distilled before it is mixed with the substrate, catalyst and base.