Synthesis of Alkylidene(gem-Difluorocyclopropanes) from Propargyl Glycolates by a One-Pot Difluorocyclopropenation/Ireland-Claisen Rearrangement Sequence.

A one-pot difluorocyclopropenation/Ireland-Claisen rearrangement sequence applied to readily available propargyl glycolates was developed as a route toward functionalized alkylidene(gem-difluorocyclopropanes). This strategy conveniently avoids the isolation of the unstable 3,3-difluorocyclopropenylcarbinyl glycolates arising from the difluorocyclopropenation. The Ireland-Claisen rearrangement proceeds with high diastereoselectivity and chirality transfer to afford alkylidene(gem-difluorocyclopropanes) incorporating a quaternary stereocenter and a protected glycolic acid moiety, which are useful building blocks for the preparation of functionalized gem-difluorocyclopropanes.