Enantiocontrol in the intermolecular cyclopropanation reaction catalyzed by dirhodium(II) complexes with ortho-metalated aryl phosphine ligands

(P) and (M) dirhodium(II) complexes with ortho-metalated aryl phosphines are assessed as chiral catalysts in the enantioselective cyclopropanation of styrenes by ethyl diazoacetate; enantioselectivities up to 91% and up to 87%, respectively, for cis- and trans-2-arylcyclopropanecarboxylates are observed.