CuCl-Promoted β-Acylation of Cyclopropanols with Thioesters

CuCl-induced cyclopropyl alcohol ring-opening followed by β-acylation with thioester is reported. Cyclopropanols and thioesters with various substitution patterns were successfully subjected to the reaction, and a series of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds were synthesized. The mechanistic investigation revealed the involvement of Cu(I)-homoenolate, which reacts with the thioester via oxidative addition. Both experimental and computational evidence were found. Operational simplicity, high chemo- and regioselectivity, and good to excellent yields are the core features of the presented approach.