When subjected to HBr/HOAc in polar solvents like acetic acid, 6-(1-methylethylidene)-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes undergo a ring expansion reaction yielding 2-bromo-3,3-dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane and 3-bromo-2,2-dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Several other isopropylidenecyclobutanes have been found to undergo the same reaction with high stereoselectivity and moderate regioselectivity. In less polar solvents like diethyl ether the ring expansion reaction is suppressed, and bromides resulting from addition of HBr to the isopropylidene double bond are obtained.