Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.129, No.40, 12074-12074, 2007
Cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins
The cobalt(II) complex of a D 2-Symmetric chiral porphyrin [Co(1)] is an effective catalyst for asymmetric cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins, including M,P-unsaturated esters, amides, ketones, and nitriles. Due to the absence of dimerization of diazo compounds, the catalytic reactions can be performed in one-pot protocol using olefins as the limiting reagent, forming the desired electrophilic cyclopropane derivatives in high yields and selectivities under mild conditions. In most cases, both excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity were achieved.