FUNCTIONALLY SUBSTITUTED CYCLOPROPANES: PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, KNOWN METHODS, AND A NEW PROMISING SYNTHESIS METHODOLOGY

Functionally substituted cyclopropanes are very diverse and exhibit a wide range of biological activity. They play a crucial role in medicinal chemistry by contributing to the structural rigidity and pharmacological properties of numerous bioactive compounds. Additionally, they are involved in the biosynthesis of the phytohormone ethylene in plants and demonstrate potent fungicidal activity, among other potential applications. These compounds have garnered significant attention due to their diverse roles in biological processes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. From natural product synthesis to industrial applications, these compounds have demonstrated their importance repeatedly, motivating the ongoing quest to develop innovative and efficient synthesis methods. Despite their widespread importance, the synthesis of functionally substituted cyclopropanes remains a challenging area of research. Traditional methods, like Simmons-Smith, Diazo-Derived Carbenoids, Free Carbenes, Cycloisomerization and Kulinkovich Reaction − often suffer from limited substrate scope, harsh reaction conditions, or low selectivity. These limitations underscore the need for novel, efficient, and sustainable synthetic strategies that can enable access to a broader range of cyclopropane derivatives. The urgency of this need becomes even more apparent when considering the growing demand for tailored cyclopropane compounds in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. In this article, we address this challenge by introducing a universal method for the synthesis of functionally substituted cyclopropanes that is both accessible and technically easy to implement. This method not only expands the range of accessible derivatives but also offers improved efficiency, selectivity, and environmental compatibility.