Ti(II)-mediated conversion of alpha-heterosubstituted (O, N, S) nitriles to functionalized cyclopropylamines. Effect of chelation on the cyclopropanation step.

Alpha-alkoxy, amino-, and thio nitriles undergo a Ti(II)-mediated coupling with Grignard reagents to afford heterofunctionalized cyclopropylamines. A chelation effect appears to be generally responsible for the spontaneous contraction of the intermediate azatitanacycle leading to cyclopropane. By using the described reaction, 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acids were prepared in four steps, in good overall yields, from the readily available benzyloxyacetonitrile.