Stereoselective insertion of cyclopropenes into Mg-Mg bonds

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Jul 21;58(59):8282-8285. doi: 10.1039/d2cc02931f.

Abstract

The reaction of cyclopropenes with compounds containing Mg-Mg bonds is reported. 1,2-Dimagnesiation occurs exclusively by syn-addition to the least hindered face of the alkene forming a single diastereomeric product. DFT calculations support a concerted and stereoselective mechanism. These findings shed new light on the stereochemistry of reactions involving magnesium reagents.