Synthesis of substituted cyclopropanes from vinylarenes and esters in the presence of Cl n AlEt3 − n and Cp2ZrCl2 as catalyst

A procedure has been developed for the selective synthesis of 1-alkoxy(cycloalkoxy)-1-alkyl-(cycloalkyl)-2-arylcyclopropanes in up to 75% yield by reaction of vinylarenes with aliphatic and cycloalkylacetic acid esters in the presence of Cl n AlEt3 − n and Cp2ZrCl2 as catalyst.