Regioselective intramolecular C−H insertion reactions of α-diazo β-keto esters and α-diazo
ketones are mediated by Rh2[OOCR]4
-
x
[PC]
x
(x = 1, 2; PC = ortho-metalated phosphine; R
= CH3, C3F7). In particular, the intramolecular transformation of 1-diazo-5-methyl-3-propyl-2-hexanone catalyzed by Rh2[OOCCH3]2[PC]2 (PC = (C6H4)P(C6H5)2, head-to-tail (H−T)
configuration) afforded only the tertiary C−H insertion product. By comparison, no C−H
insertion reaction was promoted by doubly metalated complexes with a head-to-head (H−H) configuration. Rh2[OOCR]3[PC] compounds were found to be less suited for these type
of reactions.