Highly asymmetric intramolecular cyclopropanation of acceptor-substituted diazoacetates by Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis: iterative approach for development of new-generation catalysts.

3,5-Di(t)Bu-QingPhyrin, a new D(2)-symmetric chiral porphyrin derived from a chiral cyclopropanecarboxamide containing two contiguous stereocenters, has been developed using an iterative approach based on Co(II)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes. The Co(II) complex of 3,5-Di(t)Bu-QingPhyrin, [Co(P2)], has proved to be a general and effective catalyst for asymmetric intramolecular cyclopropanation of various allylic diazoacetates (especially including those with α-acceptor substituents) in high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. The [Co(P2)]-based intramolecular metalloradical cyclopropanation provides convenient access to densely functionalized 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one derivatives bearing three contiguous quaternary and tertiary chiral centers with high enantiomeric purity.