Enantioselective insertion of carbenoids into N–H bonds catalyzed by chiral bicyclobisoxazoline copper(I) complexes

Abstract

Chiral copper(I)-bicyclobisoxazoline complexes were found to catalyze the insertion of α-diazocarbonyl compounds into N–H bonds of aniline derivatives. The insertion reactions proceeded with high yields (78–99%) and enantioselectivities of up to 81% for the different α-diazopropionates. A predominant effect of the nature and the position of the substituents on the enantiocontrol of the reaction was observed.