Reaction of Methyl Diazoacetate with Amines Catalyzed by Ru2(OAc)4Cl

Abstract

Reactions of primary and secondary amines with methyl diazoacetate in the presence of Ru 2 (OAc) 4 Cl gave the corresponding N-substituted glycine methyl esters in almost quantitative yield. Catalytic decomposition of methyl diazoacetate generates methoxycarbonylcarbene which is inserted into the N-H bond of amines with high regioselectivity.