Activation and Functionalization of C–C σ Bonds of Alkylidene Cyclopropanes at Main Group Centers

Aluminum(I) and magnesium(I) compounds are reported for the C-C σ-bond activation of strained alkylidene cyclopropanes. These reactions result in the formal addition of the C-C σ bond to the main group center either at a single site (Al) or across a metal-metal bond (Mg-Mg). Mechanistic studies suggest that rather than occurring by a concerted oxidative addition, these reactions involve stepwise processes in which substrate binding to the main group metal acts as a precursor to α- or β-alkyl migration steps that break the C-C σ bond. This mechanistic understanding is used to develop the magnesium-catalyzed hydrosilylation of the C-C σ bonds of alkylidene cyclopropanes.