Amide-Group-Directed Protonolysis of Cyclopropane: An Approach to 2,2-Disubstituted Pyrrolidines

Regioselective protonolytic C-C bond cleavage of acylated aminomethyl cyclopropanes can be achieved using trifluoroacetic acid. The intermediate tertiary carbenium ion undergoes an intramolecular amination to give 2,2-substituted pyrrolidines. The strength of the acid and the amine substituent are important factors to achieve high regioselectivity, suggesting intramolecular proton transfer from the protonated amide function. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that cyclopropane cleavage proceeds with retention of configuration at the carbon to which the proton is attached. This observation is consistent with the "edge" protonation trajectory of the C-C bond.