The chemistry of thujone. XII. The synthesis of pyrethroid analogues via chiral cyclopropanation

Abstract

An extensive study involving achiral and chiral cyclopropanation of various isoprenoid units derived from the monoterpene thujone is presented. Carbenoid intermediates generated from ethyl and L-menthyl diazoacetates and various achiral and chiral copper catalysts are employed to achieve the desired cyclopropanation reaction. It is shown that high levels of enantiomeric excess can be achieved, particularly when L-menthyl diazoacetate and a chiral catalyst are employed. The resultant products are then converted to pyrethroid-like analogues.