2,2,2-Trichloroethyl Aryldiazoacetates as Robust Reagents for the Enantioselective C–H Functionalization of Methyl Ethers

A new class of reagents is described for C–H functionalization by means of C–H insertion using donor/acceptor-substituted rhodium­(II) carbene intermediates. The 2,2,2-trichloro­ethyl aryl and heteroaryl diazoacetates, together with the dirhodium triaryl­cyclo­propane carboxylate catalyst Rh2(R-BPCP)4, enabled the enantioselective intermolecular C–H functionalization of a range of methyl ethers with high levels of site selectivity and enantioselectivity.