An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 2′,3′-Nonsubstituted Cycloalkane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes Using (2-Bromoethyl)-diphenylsulfonium Trifluoromethanesulfonate

An efficient and practical synthesis of 2',3'-nonsubstituted cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes using a sulfonium salt was achieved. The reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanediones and (2-bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate with powdered K2CO3 in EtOAc at room temperature (r.t.) provided the corresponding spirocyclopropanes in high yields. The synthetic method was also applied to 1,3-cyclopentanedione, 1,3-cycloheptanedione, 1,3-indanedione, acyclic 1,3-diones, ethyl acetoacetate, and Meldrum's acid.