Boron Trifluoride Mediated Ring-Opening Reactions of trans-2-Aryl-3-nitro-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates. Synthesis of Aroylmethylidene Malonates as Potential Building Blocks for Heterocycles

trans-2-Aryl-3-nitro-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates, upon treatment with BF₃·​OEt₂, undergo ring-opening rearrangement and the Nef reaction to give aroylmethylidene malonates. The products are found to be potential precursors for heterocycles, such as imidazoles, quinoxalines, and benzo­[1,4]­thiazines.