Dirhodium intramolecular carbon-hydrogen insertions

Intramolecular carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions have well known to be elTectively promoted by dirhodium(ll) catalysts [19-23]. Insertion into the y-position to form five-membered ring compounds is virtually exclusive, and in competitive experiments the expected reactivity for electrophilic carbene insertion (3°>2° 1°) is observed [49], as is heteroatom activation [50]. A recent theoretical treatment [51] confirmed the mechanistic proposal (Scheme 15.4) that C-C and C-H bond formation with the carbene carbon proceeds in a concerted fashion as the ligated metal dissociates [52]. Chemoselectivity is dependent on the catalyst ligands [53]. 

Intramolecular Carbon-Hydrogen Insertion. The advantages of rhodium(II) catalysts for carbenoid transformations are nowhere more evident than with carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions. Exceptional regio- and diastereocontrol has been observed for Rh2(OAc)4 catalyzed transformations of a broad selection of diazoketones, a-diazo-p-ketoesters, a-diazo-P-keto-sulfones and -phosphonates which yield cyclopentanone derivatives in moderate to good yields (57-54). In contrast, poor yields and low regioselectivities characterize the corresponding copper catalyzed reactions. Applications of dirhodium(II) catalysts for C-H insertion reactions have even been extended to the synthesis of y-lactones (55), 3(2//)-furanones (56,57), P-laetones (58), and P-lactams (59,60). 

Rhodium(II)-MEPY and rhodium(II)-MACIM (methyl 1-acetylimidazolidin-2-one-4-carboxylate) complexes are efficient chiral catalysts for intramolecular carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions of diazoacetates (224) and metal carbene transformations (225). Dirhodium(II) carboxylates of similar structure (eg, piperidinonate complexes of the Rh2(ligand)4 type) have been found efficient catalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins (226). 

Dirhodium(ll) tetrakis[methyl 2-pyrrolidone-5(R)-oarboxylate], Rh2(5R-MEPV)4, and its enantiomer, Rh2(5S-MEPY)4, which is prepared by the same procedure, are highly enantioselective catalysts for intramolecular cyclopropanation of allylic diazoacetates (65->94% ee) and homoallylic diazoacetates (71-90% ee),7 8 intermolecular carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions of 2-alkoxyethyl diazoacetates (57-91% ee)9 and N-alkyl-N-(tert-butyl)diazoacetamides (58-73% ee),10 Intermolecular cyclopropenation ot alkynes with ethyl diazoacetate (54-69% ee) or menthyl diazoacetates (77-98% diastereomeric excess, de),11 and intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes with menthyl diazoacetate (60-91% de for the cis isomer, 47-65% de for the trans isomer).12 Their use in <1.0 mol % in dichloromethane solvent effects complete reaction of the diazo ester and provides the carbenoid product in 43-88% yield. The same general method used for the preparation of Rh2(5R-MEPY)4 was employed for the synthesis of their isopropyl7 and neopentyl9 ester analogs. 

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