Highly functionalized donor–acceptor cyclopropanes applied toward the synthesis of the Melodinus alkaloids

[Display omitted] A series of highly substituted vinylcyclopropanes were prepared and examined as reaction partners in a palladium-catalyzed (3+2) cycloaddition with nitrostyrenes. Described herein are our efforts to synthesize an elusive 1,1-divinylcyclopropane by several distinct approaches, and to apply surrogates of this fragment toward the synthesis of the Melodinus alkaloids.