A bicyclo [3.1. 0] hexane, with one cyclopropane carbon flanked by a ketone and an ester or an aldehyde, undergoes methanolysis with cleavage of one of the two activated cyclopropane bonds, depending on the reaction conditions. Acidic conditions yield primarily or exclusively a 4-methoxycyclohexane, while basic conditions yield a 3- methoxymethylcyclopentanone.