Generation and Trapping of Cyclopropenes from 2-Alkoxy-1,1-dichlorocyclopropanes

In presence of crown ether, 2-alkoxy-1,1-dichlorocyclopropanes react with t-BuOK/THF preferentially via ring opening to 2-chloroalk-2-en-1-ones and alkynones or to chlorocyclopropenes. The latter may be intercepted with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran, but in the absence of trapping agent, the rearrangement to vinylcarbenes does not occur.