Ring-opening reactions of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with cyclic ketals and thiol ketals

1,3-Cyclohexandione derived cyclic ketals and thiol ketals were used as O- and S-nucleophiles, respectively, for the ring opening of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes catalyzed by Cu(OTf) 2 and a series of functionalized alkylene glycol diethers and dithiol diethers were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions. Cyclic (thiol) ketals were used as hetero-nucleophiles for the ring opening of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes to afford functionalized diethers.