Dependence of product on catalyst in the transition-metal-catalysed decomposition of ethyl 2-allyl-4-diazoacetoacetate

Abstract

Competitive formation of the epimeric ethyl 2-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-3-carboxylates (2a and b) and 4-allyl-5-ethoxyfuran-3(2H)-one (3) in the thermal decomposition of ethyl 2-allyl-4-diazoacetoacetate has been observed. The decomposition could be controlled by use of transition metal catalysts: highly selective formation of (2) or (3) could be achieved by appropriate choice of catalyst.