Study on the reaction of electron-deficient cyclopropane derivatives with amines

Reaction of electron deficient cyclopropane derivatives cis-1-methoxycarbon yl-2-aryl-6, 6-dimethyl-5, 7-dioxa-spiro-[ 2,5]-4,8-octadiones (1a-d) (X = CH3, H, Cl, NO2) with anilines (2a-e) (Y = p-CH3, H, p-Br, p-NO2, o-CH3) at room temperature gives N-aryl-trans, trans-alpha -carboxyl-beta -methoxyca rbonyl-gamma -aryl-gamma -butyrolactams (3a-p) in high yields with high ste reoselectivity. For example, la (X = CH3) reacts with ammonia 4 or benzyl a mine 5 at room temperature to give inner ammonium salt 6 or 7 in the yield of 83% or 97% respectively. The reaction mechanisms for formation of the pr oducts are proposed.