Catalytic Reaction of Ethyl 2-Diazo-3-oxobutanoate with Alcohols

Abstract

The effect of the structure of alcohols on their reaction with ethyl 2-diazo-3-oxobutanoate catalyzed by copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate has been studied. The corresponding ethyl 2-alkoxy-3-oxobutanoates were obtained in quantitative yield from primary alcohols. Introduction of a 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane fragment into the alcohol molecule changes the reaction direction toward the formation of polyoxa macrocycles that are products of formal insertion of the diazo ester into the carbon–oxygen bond.