Evidence for stepwise bond cleavage in the transition metal promoted isomerizations of simple bicyclo[1,1,0]butanes

Abstract

Capture of a carbonium ion type intermediate by nucleophilic solvent in the Rh^I catalysed isomerization of a simple bicyclo[1,1,0]butane provided substantial evidence that the transition metal-catalysed isomerization of these highly-strained bicyclic molecules proceeds via a mechanism which involves sequential cleavage of the side and centre bonds of the bicyclo[1,1,0]butane.