Highly efficient and enantioselective cyclopropanation of styrene with diazoacetates using a new copper-(Schiff-base) catalyst

A new copper-(Schiff-base) complex, derived from (S)-2-amino-1,1-di(3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)propanol, 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde and copper acetate monohydrate, was used as an efficient catalyst for the cyclopropanation of styrene with diazoacetates, affording ees of up to 98%. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.