91Ó°ÊÓ

Cyclopropanes are synthesized by the reaction of alkenes with carbene intermediates. Di-halo carbenes are reactive intermediates that would act as electrophiles in the synthesis of cyclopropane rings.

a. The reaction of prop-2-ene with chloroform in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide would yield a mixture of stereoisomers. Two are achiral meso-compound, and the other two are enantiomers.

Formation of achiral meso products from cis-propan-2-ene and enantiomers from trans-propan-2-ene.

b. The reaction of but-2-ene with a di-halocarbene would yield a mixture of four identical compounds.

Formation of identical products

c. The reaction of methylcyclohex-1-ene would yield a mixture of enantiomers.

Formation of a mixture of enantiomers from methylcyclohexene.