A process of converting a carbon-carbon multiple bond to a cyclopropane ring, comprising the addition of a N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound to a mixture of alkene precursor, aqueous base and Pd(II)-catalyst, with the N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound obtained directly from an alkyl amine derivative, NaNO2 and an acid via phase separation of the N-alkyl-N-nitroso compound from the aqueous phase.