The first examples of the direct functionalization of non-activated aryl sp 2 C À Hb onds with ethyl diazoacetate (N 2 CHCO 2 Et) catalyzedb yM n-or Fe-based complexes in acompletely selective manner are reported, with no formation of the frequently observed cycloheptatriene derivatives through competing Buchner reaction. The best catalysts are Fe II or Mn II complexes bearing the tetradentate pytacn ligand (pytacn = 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). When using alkylbenzenes,t he alkylic C(sp 3 ) À Hb onds of the substituents remained unmodified, thus the reaction being also selective towardf unctionalization of sp 2 C À Hb onds.