Metallophthalocyanine-catalyzed cyclopropanation

Metallophthalocyanine-catalyzed carbenoid reactions have had little attention to date. Recently these metal complexes have been found to catalyze cyclopropanation reactions. We have investigated these metallophthalocyanines in reactions to catalyze cyclopropanation from donor–acceptor carbenoids. The yields and diastereoselectivity of these reactions are influenced by the nature of the styrene as well as the aryldiazoacetate and catalyst. The products have been synthesized in short reaction times (1 h), with good yields (up to 84%), and high diastereoselectivity (up to 20:1 ratio cis/trans products).