Observations on the copper(II) catalyzed reactions of enaminones and dimethyl diazomalonate

The Cu(acac)2 catalyzed reactions of dimethyl diazomalonate with enaminones yielded 1,5-cyclization and α-CH insertion products. In the case of anilino derivatives (R1 or R2 = Ph), products resulting from an unusual insertion to the benzoyl ring dominated the reaction.