Samarium in the presence of diiodomethane selectively cyclopropanates an allenic alcohol to yield a methylenecyclopropane with modest to excellent diastereoselectivity. The effect of substituents at the carbinol carbon and the allenic carbon on the diastereoselectivity was investigated. A palladium catalyst was shown to promote the intramolecular cycloaddition of the methylenecyclopropane with an electron-deficient alkyne to yield a methylenecyclopentane. The reaction was stereospecific with retention of stereochemistry as proven by X-ray diffraction. Nickel catalysts accelerate the hydroalumination of oxabicyclo[3.2.1]alkenes, leading to bicyclic trialkylalanes. Upon treatment with a Lewis acid (diisobutylaluminum chloride), the trialkylalanes fragment to provide cycloheptenols. This reaction, followed by an enantioselective enzyme-catalyzed esterification, was used as a key step in a synthesis of the mevinic acid lactone. Keywords: methylenecyclopropane, palladium, stereocontrol, oxabicyclic, nickel.
