Iron(III) and ruthenium(II) porphyrin complex-catalyzed selective olefination of aldehydes with ethyl diazoacetate.

The commercially available Fe(III) and Ru(II) porphyrin complexes Fe(TPP)Cl and Ru(TPP)(CO) are efficient catalysts for selective olefination of a variety of aldehydes with ethyl diazoacetate in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The reactions were carried out under mild conditions in a one-pot fashion with the use of a stoichiometrical amount of EDA, which proceeded with excellent yields and high (E)-selectivity. Air atmosphere, low catalyst loadings, and functional group tolerance were also demonstrated.