In organic chemistry, cyclopropanation refers to any chemical process which generates cyclopropane ((CH2)3) rings. It is an important process in modern chemistry as many useful compounds bear this motif; for example pyrethroid insecticides and a number of quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, etc.). However, the high ring strain present in cyclopropanes makes them challenging to produce and generally requires the use of highly reactive species, such as carbenes, ylids and carbanions.[1] Many of the reactions proceed in a cheletropic manner.
- ^ Pellissier, Hélène (July 2008). "Recent developments in asymmetric cyclopropanation". Tetrahedron. 64 (30–31): 7041–7095. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2008.04.079.