The Structure and Thermal Stability of 1,2-Dimethoxycarbonyl-3,3-dimethylcyclopropene

The X-ray crystal structure of 1,2-dimethoxycarbonyl-3,3-dimethylcyclopropene (1) is reported and the geometry is contrasted to that of cyclopropene (2) and 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene (3). Ab initio and density functional theory calculations were carried out in order to examine the conformational preference of the ester groups (i.e., s-cis vs. s-trans) and to probe the thermal stability of 1 via a model compound, 1-methoxycarbonyl-3-methylcyclopropene. Experimental activation parameters for the unimolecular isomerization were measured and compared to an analogous dibenzoylcyclopropene derivative.