Donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with Lawesson's and Woollins' reagents: formation of bisthiophenes and unprecedented cage-like molecules

Furan-derived donor-acceptor-substituted cyclopropanes were reacted with Lawesson's reagent. Depending on the reaction conditions either bisthiophenes or unprecedented cage-like molecules were obtained. Woollins' reagent always led to the respective selenium-containing cage-like compounds.