Cyclopropene derivatives as precursors to enantioenriched cyclopropanols and n-butenals possessing quaternary carbon stereocenters.

The diastereoselective carbocupration reaction of cyclopropenylmethyl ethers followed by addition of oxenoid leads to the formation of diastereo- and enantiomerically enriched 2,2,3,3-tetrasubstituted cyclopropanol derivatives. Ring fragmentation of the copper cyclopropanolate leads to acyclic butenal derivatives possessing enantiomerically enriched α-quaternary carbon stereocenters in a single-pot operation.