Asymmetric Intramolecular C–H Insertion Promoted by Dirhodium(II) Carboxylate Catalyst Bearing Axially Chiral Amino Acid Derivatives

A dirhodium(II) carboxylate catalyst bearing axially chiral amino acid derivatives is prepared. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that four of the bridging ligands are aligned in a C 2 -symmetry-like conformation. This catalyst is effective in the asymmetric intramolecular C–H insertion of α-aryl-α-diazoacetates to α-aryl-β-substituted γ-lactones with a reasonable level of diastereo- and enantioselectivity, especially in the reaction of phenyl- and β-naphthyl-substituted substrates.