Abstract
α-Diazo-β-ketophosphonates, bearing an oxygen atom adjacent to the γ position, led mainly or exclusively to compounds derived from a Wolff rearrangement when submitted to the action of a catalytic amount of Rh(II) in refluxing toluene. It is suggested that the presence of this inductive withdrawing electronic atom prevents competing intramolecular C-H insertion reactions to occur.
Keywords: Ketenes, Wolff rearrangement, Rhodiocarbenoid, α-Diazo-β-keto-compounds