Cyclopropanation of 5-(1-Bromo-2-phenyl-vinyl)-3-methyl-4-nitro-isoxazoles under Phase Transfer Catalysis (PTC) Conditions

Heavily substituted cyclopropane esters were prepared in high yields, complete diastereoselection and average (up to 58%) enantioselectivity. The reaction described herein entailed reacting 4-nitro-5-bromostyrylisoxazoles, a class of powerful Michael acceptors with malonate esters under the catalysis of 5 mol% of a chincona derived phase-transfer catalyst