Lewis acid catalyzed reactions of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 1- and 2-pyrazolines: formation of substituted 2-pyrazolines and 1,2-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes

The reaction of 2-substituted cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates with 1- and 2-pyrazolines is efficiently catalyzed by scandium or ytterbium triflates to give N-substituted 2-pyrazolines or 1,2-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes. The reactions of 2-pyrazolines give diazabicyclooctanes as the major products. In contrast, the reactions starting from 1-pyrazolines predominantly give N-substituted 2-pyrazolines, which become the major compounds obtained if an equimolar amount of GaCl₃ is used. A possible reaction mechanism is suggested.