Catalytic ring opening of acetylcyclopropane by water and alcohols under the action of copper or palladium salts

The possibility of the cleavage of the C—C bond in acetylcyclopropane (ACP) under the action of water or alcohols in the presence of copper or palladium salts was demonstrated for the first time. At 175—180 °C, the reactions proceeded regioselectively with the cleavage of the C(1)—C(2) bond in the cyclopropane ring. The reaction of ACP with water afforded 5-hydroxypentan-2-one, bis(3-acetylpropyl) ether, and furan compounds, whereas the reactions with alcohols proceeded selectively to form 5-alkoxypentan-2-ones. The yields of the latter depend on the nature and structure of the alcohol, the maximum values (98%) being achieved in the case of primary alcohols.