Insertion reactions of macrocyclic rhodium carbenoids: a novel method for the synthesis of cryptands

Reaction of macrocyclic diazocarbonyl compounds and alcohols or diols in the presence of rhodium(II) acetate catalyst led to functionalized macrocyclic di- or tetralactones via O–H insertion. Interestingly, the double O–H insertion reaction with dihydroxy compounds gave cryptands of various ring sizes.