Rhodium-catalyzed, three-component reaction of diazo compounds with amines and azodicarboxylates

A novel, three-component C-N bond forming reaction is described. Reaction of diazo compounds with both azodicarboxylates and arylamines in the presence of dirhodium acetate catalyst gives good yields of the corresponding aminal with high selectivity and, in most cases, N-H insertion side products were suppressed. This is the first example of a C-N bond formation from the addition of ammonium ylides to azodicarboxylates.