Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Unactivated Olefins Initiated by C–H Activation

Abstract

We have developed a rhodium(III)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of unactivated olefins initiated by an alkenyl C–H activation. A variety of 1,1-disubstituted olefins undergo efficient cyclopropanation with a slight excess of alkene stoichiometry. A series of mechanistic interrogations implicate a metal carbene as an intermediate.