Figure 4.

Dimethylcyclopropanations of activated alkenes, including applications to the synthesis of a boceprevir precursor and an analogue of carbamazepine. Standard dimethylcyclopropanation conditions: 0.14 mmol scale of the 1,3-diene (1.0 equiv), Me2CCl2 (2.0 equiv), Zn (2.0 equiv), ZnBr2 (1.0 equiv), [2-t-BuPDI]CoBr2 (3) (10 mol%), and THF (1 mL); 22 °C for 24 h.