Homoallylic ethers react with Cp2ZrCl2/2 n-BuLi reagent to afford cyclopropane derivatives. Cyclopropylcarbinyl–homoallyl rearrangements involving zirconium species are observed depending on the substrate structure.
Epimerisation usually occurs during the synthesis of arylalcanes from the corresponding benzylselenides which involves benzyllithiums as intermediates. This has been used to produce stereoselectively arylcyclopentanes and arylcyclopropanes. γ-Benzenesulfonyloxyalkyl selenides substituted on the carbon bearing the benzenesulfonyl group behave differently and lead stereospecifically to arylcyclopropane