3-exo-tet Cyclization of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-dihalopropanes with indium in aqueous and ionic liquid solvent system

The 3-exo-tet cyclization of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-dihalopropanes with In powder in THF solution of 20% H₂O, dioxane solution of 20% H₂O, and ionic liquids, such as bmim]Br, bmim]Cl, and bmin]BF₄, respectively, was efficiently carried out to form the corresponding 1,1-disubstituted cyclopropanes in good yields. The cyclopropanation of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-dihalopropanes with In powder in ionic liquids, such as bmim]Br, bmim]Cl, and bmin]BF₄, was markedly accelerated compared with that in a THF solution of 20% H₂O and a dioxane solution of 20% H₂O. The mechanism was proposed to involve the radical 3-exo-tet cyclization of the formed 3-halopropyl radical.