posted on 2014-06-06, 00:00authored byLiangbing Fu, Hengbin Wang, Huw M. L. Davies
A rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis
of β-lactones via
intramolecular C–H insertion into the ester group of aryldiazoacetates
has been developed. The β-lactones were synthesized in high
yields and with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity.
Halo and trifluoromethyl substituents at the ortho position of the aryldiazoacetates enhance intramolecular C–H
insertions over intermolecular reactions, allowing C–H insertion
of even methyl C–H bonds.