| abstract |
The present invention describes a process for cyclopropaneation of a substituted alkene, which comprises the reaction of the alkene with a carbenoid, generated from dibromomethane and a tri- (C2-C8) -alkylaluminum compound, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound metal selected from the group consisting of Lewis acids, metallocenes and metal carbonyl complexes. The process advantageously uses transition metal compounds as catalysts and dibromomethane can be recovered. The process is especially useful for the preparation of ingredients for the flavor and fragrance industry. |