Whereas pentylsodium in pentane mainly promotes a hydrogen/metal exchange reaction at the m- and p-position of phenylcyclopropane (I), both BuLi-KOCMe3 and Me3SiCH2K in THF convert I into 1-phenylcyclopropylpotassium. The latter adds smoothly to ethylene at .apprx.-40 Deg. [on SciFinder (R)]
Thi Ha My Pham, Wen Luo, Kun Zhao, Mo Li, Youngdon Ko, Liping Zhong