Original reactivity of α-diazo-β- ketoesters catalyzed by CpRu complexes.

Using α-diazo-β-ketoesters as reagents and combinations of CpRu fragments and diimine ligands as catalysts, a series of original transformations have been obtained that can be rationalized by the formation of metal carbenes and metal-bound ylide intermediates. Interesting 1,3-dioxole, enol-acetal and 1,4-dioxene motifs are obtained directly when the reactive mixture is reacted in presence of aldehydes or ketones, THF and epoxides.