Novel question on cyclopropane

 

Cyclopropane rings are precursors in synthesizing certain pharmaceutical medicine and substituted cyclopropane is also involved in biochemical pathways (biosynthesis of certain biomolecules) of  bacteria.

The following reaction shows part of the synthesis for  a cyclopropane compound.

 

 

 

 

The above reaction involves a negatively-charge organic intermediate which is relatively stabilised, which eventually forms the cyclopropane compound.

 

(a)    Suggest the reaction types for steps 1 and 2 and draw the structural formula of the organic intermediate.

(b)    How is the intermediate stabilised?

  a    Propose a mechanism for the above reaction.

(c)     Which has more conformational stability, cyclopropane or cyclohexane? Explain briefly your answer.