The cyclopropane ring in 2-substituted 1, 1-cyclopropanedicarboxylates was regioselectively opened by using samarium(II) diiodide (SmI2) in a hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA)-tetrahydrofuran (THF) (1 : 10) system under mild and neutral conditions to give (2-substituted ethyl)malonates in moderate to good yields. The cyclopropane ring in 2-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylates or 2-substituted 3-(trimethylsilyl)cyclopropanecarboxylates was similarly cleaved regioselectively by using SmI2 in a HMPA-THF (1 : 1) system to give 4-arylbutyrates or 4-aryl-3-(trimethylsilyl)butyrates in 16-89% yields. The reaction mechanism of these ring-opening reactions is discussed.