Four different 2-substituted geminal dibromocyclobutanes were reacted with methyllithium at -78 degrees C. In contrast to previous studies using diazocyclobutanes as carbene precursors at temperatures above 200 degrees C via reaction of the corresponding tosylhydrazone sodium salts, the organometallic route in each case produces only an alkylidenecyclopropane that could be isolated in good yields. B3LYP calculations were employed to rationalize the observed regioselective ring contraction of the generated cyclobutyliden(oid)s. [reaction: see text]

Nine 2-substituted cyclobutanone acetals, in addition to the parent cyclobutanone acetal, were synthesized from their corresponding cyclobutanones and subsequently treated with boron tribromide. The substituents were either alkyl chains or a phenyl and a benzyl group, respectively. The major compounds obtained in these reactions were, in most cases, the geminal dibromocyclobutanes which were obtained in yields between 50 and 73%. A 2-fold excess of BBr3 and a reaction time of 3 h at -78 degrees C afforded the best yields. In four cases no dibromide formation was observed at all, and the cyclobutanone acetals were hydrolyzed to the corresponding cyclobutanone. This is probably due to increased steric hindrance of the acetal and BBr3 in the transition state.

Two compounds, the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 2,4-dibromo-1-p-tolyl-1-butene 2a and 3a, respectively, were isolated in 65% total yield when 1-(1-bromo-1-p-tolylmethyl)cyclopropyl bromide (1a) was heated at 150 degrees C for 1 h. 1,1-Dibromo-2-p-tolylcyclobutane (4a), previously reported to be the only product in this reaction, was not detected. The phenyl analogue of 1a reacted similarly and gave the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 2,4-dibromo-1-phenyl-1-butene 2b and 3b, respectively, in 60% yield. A rationale for the reaction is presented.

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