Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrrolidines by the Diverted N-H Insertion Reaction of Metallocarbenes with β-Aminoketone Derivatives.

A highly stereoselective route to functionalized pyrrolidines by the metal-catalyzed diverted N-H insertion of a range of diazocarbonyl compounds with β-aminoketone derivatives is described. A number of catalysts (rhodium(II) carboxylate dimers, copper(I) triflate, and an iron(III) porphyrin) are shown to promote the process under mild conditions to give a wide range of highly substituted proline derivatives. The reaction starts as a metallocarbene N-H insertion but is diverted by an intermolecular aldol reaction.