A simple synthesis of 1,1,2-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-cyclopropane and its dihalo derivatives
The phase transfer catalytic cyclopropanation of the malonic ester of allylic alcohol or its 3,3-dibromo and 3,3-dichloro derivatives yields bicyclic cyclopropane carboxylic acid lactones; reduction of these lactones with LiAIH4 in boiling THF yields the appropriate 1,1,2-tris- (hydroxymethyl)cyclopropanes in satisfactory yield.