Cyclopropanes. XLI. Electron Transfer from Lithium Metal Surfaces to (±) and (−)‐(S)‐1‐Fluoro‐1‐methyl‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropane

The reaction of (I)‐1‐fluoro‐1‐methyl‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropane (1) with lithium metal produced a variety of ring‐opened, as well as cyclopropane, products. Initial electron transfer from the lithium metal surface to 1 is to the phenyl ring of 1 rather than to the carbon‐fluorine bond. Using chiral 1, the 1‐lithio‐1‐methyl‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropane produced yielded, upon carbonation, the corresponding acid which was largely racemized. The mechanism of the electron transfer reaction is discussed.