Rhodium (II)-Catalyzed Reactions of α-Aryl-α-diazo ketones. Stereoselective Synthesis of Ketoepoxides Related to anti-HIV Compounds

A study of the rhodium (II)-catalyzed C-H insertion to form cyclopentanones has been carried out with α-aryl-α-diazo-α’,β’-unsaturated 6a-c and saturated 5a-e ketones.