Authors: Huw M.L. Davies, Jaemoon Yang, James R. Manning
Tetrahedron Asym.,
2006, 17, 4, 665-673
An improved one-flask synthesis of various methyl 2-diazo-4-aryl and 4-heteroaryl-3-butenoates, precursors to donor/acceptor substituted carbenoids, is described. Their Rh2(S-DOSP)4 catalyzed reaction with 1-acetoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene, via a combined C–H activation/Cope rearrangement pathway followed by elimination of acetic acid affords a highly enantioselective (98–99% ee) entry to methyl 4-aryl- and 4-heteroaryl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-butenoates.