Catalytic enantioselective tandem carbonyl ylide formation-cycloadditi
on of alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters 1 (R = alkyl, n = 1,2) using 1 mol%
[Rh-2(S-DOSP)(4)] 2 in hexane at room temperature to give the cycloadd
ucts 3 in good yields and up to 53% ee are described. (C) 1997 Elsevie
r Science Ltd.