The effective formation of 1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (5) by treatment of 2-(bromomethyl)pyrrolidine hydrobromide (4) with n-BuLi was established, with the reaction occurring by a rational reaction pathway via the open chain transition state 8 based on intermolecular Br...Li(+) coordination (SN2 process). The reaction of 5 with electrophiles 13a-n gave the corresponding pyrrolidines 14a-n and piperidine