Asymmetric intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes by diazoketones catalyzed by Halterman iron porphyrins

The asymmetric addition of diazoacetophenone to styrene derivatives to give optically active cyclopropyl ketones (ee up to 80%) was carried out rising chiral iron porphyrins as homogeneous catalysts. Intermolecular N-H functionalization of anilines by means of carbenoid-induced N-H insertion was also possible but without enantioselectivity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.