The asymmetric arylation of diazo compounds with aniline derivatives cooperatively catalyzed by an achiral dirhodium complex and a chiral spiro phosphoric acid is reported. The reaction provides a new method for the facile synthesis of α-diarylacetates, versatile building blocks with a diaryl tertiary chiral center, in good yields (up to 95%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the arylation reaction proceeds via a stepwise process, in which the enantioselectivity is controlled by a chiral spiro phosphoric acid-promoted proton shift in a zwitterionic intermediate. This work represents the first asymmetric intermolecular C(sp 2 )−H bond insertion reaction with arenes.

A highly enantioselective NH insertion reaction of α-diazoketones was developed by using cooperative catalysis by dirhodium(II) carboxylates and chiral spiro phosphoric acids. The insertion reaction provides a new access route to diverse chiral α-aminoketones, which are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, with fast reaction rates, good yields and high enantioselectivity under mild and neutral conditions.

A bioinspired enantioselective synthesis of crinine-type alkaloids was developed by iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enones, providing 24 crinine-type alkaloids and 8 analogues with high yield and high enantioselectivity.