We describe herein a CrCl
2-promoted cyclopropanation of
,
-unsaturated amides. This reaction can be carried out on (
E)- or (
Z)-
,
-enamidesin which the C-C double bond is di-, tri-, or tetrasubstituted. In all cases the process is completely stereospecific and only a single diastereoisomeris obtained. In addition, cyclopropyl ketones were readily prepared by reaction of the cyclopropanecarboxamides (derived from morpholine)obtained with a range of organolithium compounds. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the cyclopropanation reaction.