Generation of diazo-2-methylenecyclopropane and its 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to acrylates

N-(2-Methylenecyclopropyl)-N-nitrosourea (2) was synthesized for the first time (yield 70%) and its decomposition induced by bases was studied. In particular, treatment with MeONa/MeOH at-30°C in the presence of methyl methacrylate gives the corresponding I-pyrazoline stereoisomers, the products of [3+2]-cycloaddition of diazo-2-methylene-cyclopropane (1) generatedin situ. Decomposition of2 on treatment with K2CO3 at 0–5°C in the presence of acrylonitrile also proceeds as [3+2]-cycloaddition: however, the expected 2-pyrazoline easily isomerizes into 5(3)-isopropenyl-3(5)-cyanopyrazole. Buta1,2,3-triene is the main product of base-induced decomosition of2 in the absence of unsaturated substrates.