Theoretical Insights Regarding the Cycloaddition Behavior of Push-Pull Stabilized Carbonyl Ylides.

A series of diazoamido keto esters were prepared by the reaction of N-substituted 3-carbethoxy-2-piperidone with n-butylmagnesium chloride followed by the addition of ethyl 2-diazomalonyl chloride. Treatment of these diazo amides with rhodium(II) acetate afforded transient push-pull carbonyl ylide dipoles which could be readily trapped with electron deficient dipolarophiles. All attempts to induce the dipolar cycloaddition to occur across tethered alkenyl pi-bonds failed to give internal cycloadducts.