Expedient synthesis of spiro[3.3]heptan-1-ones via strain-relocating semipinacol rearrangements

A novel approach for the formation of the highly strained spiro[3.3]heptan-1-one motif was developed through the reaction of 1-sulfonylcyclopropanols and lithiated 1-sulfonylbicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. Following initial nucleophilic addition to the cyclopropanone formed in situ, the resulting 1-bicyclobutylcyclopropanol intermediate is prone to a 'strain-relocating' semipinacol rearrangement in the presence of acid, directly affording the substituted spiro[3.3]heptan-1-one. The process is shown to be fully regio- and stereospecific when starting from a substituted cyclopropanone equivalent, leading to optically active 3-substituted spiro[3.3]heptan-1-ones. The reaction likely proceeds via initial protonation of the bicyclobutyl moiety followed by [1,2]-rearrangement of the resulting cyclopropylcarbinyl cation.