Catalytic Asymmetric Arylation of α-Aryl-α-diazoacetates with Aniline Derivatives

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.