Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.131, No.43, 15633-15633, 2009
In Situ Generation of Zinc Carbenoids from Diazo Compounds and Zinc Salts: Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2,3-Substituted Cyclopropanes
The first enantioselective cyclopropanation of alkenes using zinc carbenoids generated in situ from diazo compounds and zinc salts is reported. This new method allows the highly enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 1,2,3-substituted cyclopropanes via aryl-substituted carbenoids. The first Simmons-Smith reaction using a catalytic amount of zinc to generate enantioenriched cyctopropane is also reported.