Homogeneous copper(I) catalysed decomposition of dimethyl diazomalonate. The role of the counter ion in determining the effective spin multiplicity

Abstract

The reactions of olefin–dimethyl diazomalonate–trialkyl phosphite–copper(I) halide (catalyst) systems proceed via displacement of halide from the soluble catalyst, and this step appears to be rate determining; the leaving group ability of the anion influences the effective spin multiplicity distribution of the carbenoid species.