Mercury(II)-mediated cleavage of cyclopropylcarbinols by an intramolecular sulfinyl group as a stereo- and regioselective route to stereotriads and stereotetrads.

Mercury(II) salt mediated opening of cyclopropylcarbinols by an intramolecular sulfinyl group is disclosed. All four diastereomeric stereotriads have been prepared from cis- and trans-disubstituted cyclopropanes. The trisubstituted cyclopropanes also react regio- and stereoselectively to afford products possessing quaternary stereogenic centers. The reaction is clean and general.