Experimental and Computational Studies on Stepwise [3+2]-Cycloadditions of Diaryldiazomethanes with Electron-Deficient Dimethyl (E)- and (Z)-2,3-Dicyanobutenedioates

Abstract

Electron-deficient dimethyl (E)- and (Z)-2,3-dicyanobutenedioates (dimethyl dicyanofumarate and dicyanomaleate, respectively) react with diaryldiazomethanes at room temperature under spontaneous evolution of N2. The type of the products strongly depends on the structure of the diazo compound. Whereas diphenyldiazomethane and its bis(4-methoxy) derivative yield cyclopropanes, sterically crowded 5-diazo-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptane derivatives afford either the dimer of the carbene formed via N2 elimination or the adduct of the carbene o Show more