Partial Asymmetric Synthesis in the Simmons-Smith Reaction. III. A Modification of the Reaction

A modification of the Simmons-Smith reaction, which involves a prior reaction of ethyl iodide with zinc copper couple followed by addition of methylene iodide and oleflns, was proposed. The improved yields of cyclopropane products were obtained with various olefin substrates. It is likely that the operating species in the present modification is ethyliodomethylzinc.