Abstract Reaction of the quaternary ammonium salts 2a–i with electrophilic alkenes 3, active alkylating agents 7 or aromatic aldehydes 11, carried out in basic two-phase systems A–D, afforded cyclopropanes 4, cyanoalkenes 8 or cyanooxiranes 12 respectively, via the corresponding ammonium ylides 2+–. The method is very simple, and gives cyclopropanes 4 and cyanoalkenes 8 in high yield. Under similar conditions, 1-cyanodienes 8aa, ba were ...
