Olefin-Migrative Cleavage of Cyclopropane Rings through the Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Allenes and Alkenes

A nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation triggered by hydronickelation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of allenes followed by cyclopropane cleavage is described. The observed regio- and stereochemistries in the products are strongly influenced by the initial hydronickelation step, and allenyl- and methylenecyclopropanes reacted smoothly to promote the cleavage of cyclopropane. In contrast, this cleavage was not observed with vinylidenecyclopropanes, because the initial hydronickelation does not give a suitable intermediate for cleavage of the cyclopropanes.