Methyl phenyldiazoacetate is the

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. The ...

with the formula C₆H₅C(N₂)CO₂Me. It is a diazo derivative of

methyl phenylacetate Methyl phenylacetate is an organic compound that is the methyl ester of phenylacetic acid, with the structural formula C6H5CH2COOCH3. It is a colorless liquid that is only slightly soluble in water, but soluble in most organic solvents. Methyl ...

. Colloguially referred to as "phenyldiazoacetate", it is generated and used in situ after isolation as a yellow oil. Methyl phenyldiazoacetate and many related derivatives are precursors to donor-acceptor carbenes, which can be used for cyclopropanation or to insert into C-H bonds of organic substrates. These reactions are catalyzed by

dirhodium tetraacetate Rhodium(II) acetate is the coordination compound with the formula Rh2(AcO)4, where AcO− is the acetate ion (). This dark green powder is slightly soluble in polar solvents, including water. It is used as a catalyst for cyclopropanation of a ...

or related chiral complexes. Methyl phenyldiazoacetate is prepared by treating methyl phenylacetate with p-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl azide in the presence of base. DOXGON

References

{{Reflist Diazo compounds Reagents for organic chemistry