The two naturally occurring cyclopropene fatty acids, sterculic
and malvalic, have been synthesized. The cyclopropene ring was
made by inserting a methylene unit into an acetylenic linkage.
The synthesis of methyl sterculate was repeated using diethyl
aluminum chloride, diazomethane, and methyl stearolate.
Methyl malvalate was totally synthesized. Diethyl malonate
was...