Methylenecyclopropane as C1 synthetic units: [1+4] cycloaddition via a nickel catalyst.

Nickel-catalyzed reactions of methylenecyclopropanes and thioanhydrides afford sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds via [1+4] cycloaddition. The reactions represent a new use for methylenecyclopropane as a possible one-carbon building block to replace carbon monoxide, isocyanides, and Fischer carbene complexes.