Gallium trichloride-mediated reactions of ‘double’ donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with alkenes and dienes

The reactions of ‘double’ donor–acceptor cyclopropanes containing a p- or m-phenylene moiety with alkenes or dienes in the presence of GaCl₃ comprise formation of gallium 1,2-zwitterionic intermediates, the structure of final products being substrate dependent. In contrast to the para-or meta-isomers, reaction of 2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate) does not involve alkene and affords isomeric tricyclo[6.2.2.0^2,7]dodeca-2,4,6-triene-9,9,11,11-tetra-carboxylate, a product of intramolecular rearrangement.