Formal Allylation and Enantioselective Cyclopropanation of Donor/Acceptor Rhodium(II) Azavinyl Carbenes.

A highly efficient formal allylation of dihydronaphthotriazoles with alkenes under rhodium(II) catalysis is reported. Various allyl dihydronaphthalene derivatives were furnished via rhodium(II) azavinyl carbenes with moderate to good yields and excellent chemoselectivity. When monosubstituted alkenes are used, cyclopropanation occurs and good to excellent enantioselectivities have been achieved. Particularly noteworthy is the allylic C(sp2)-H activation instead of traditional C(sp3)-H activation in the formal allylation process.