Asymmetric intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes by diazoketones catalyzed by Halterman iron porphyrins

The asymmetric addition of diazoacetophenone to styrene derivatives to give optically active cyclopropyl ketones (ee up to 80%) was carried out using chiral iron porphyrins as homogeneous catalysts. Intermolecular N–H functionalization of anilines by means of carbenoid-induced N–H insertion was also possible but without enantioselectivity.