Copper-Catalyzed Carbenoid Insertion Reactions of α-Diazoesters and α-Diazoketones into Si-H and S-H Bonds.

An efficient copper-catalyzed carbenoid insertion reaction of α-diazo carbonyl compounds into Si-H and S-H bonds was developed. A wide range of α-silylesters and α-thioesters was obtained in high yields (up to 98%) from α-diazoesters using 5 mol% of a simple copper(I) salt as catalyst. Using 0.05 mol% of the same catalyst, α-diazoketones led to α-silylketones in low to good yields (up to 70%).