A Gold Catalyst for Carbene‐Transfer Reactions from Ethyl Diazoacetate

Abstract

Approaching El Dorado: A gold catalyst has been discovered that transfers a carbene unit from ethyl diazoacetate to aromatic substrates (see scheme) as well as olefins, amines, and alcohols. The insertion of carbene units into the CH bonds of the aromatic ring of benzene, toluene, and styrene is a novel reaction. R=H, CH3, CHCH2; IPr=1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene.