trans and 5% cis. Further purification through recrystallization at this stage results in pure racemic trans product. Hydrolysis of ethyl 2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylate in the presence of alkali forms 2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid. 2-Phenylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid is reacted with thionyl chloride (SOCl 2 ) to form 2-phenylcyclopropanecarbonyl chloride. 2-Phenylcyclopropanecarbonyl chloride is reacted with sodium azide (NaN