A study of cyclopropanations of oxy-substituted ethenes with ethyl α-diazoaroyl acetates is described. Whereas trimethylsilyl vinyl ether and ethyl vinyl ether gave dihydrofuran products, stable cyclopropanes were isolated when vinyl acetate was used. Yields ranged from 0–87%, depending on the nature and position of the aryl ring substituent.

The rhodium‐catalyzed reaction of aryl‐substituted α‐diazo‐β‐keto esters with vinyl acetate is shown to form acyloxy‐substituted donor‐acceptor‐acceptor cyclopropanes, and depending on the aryl substituent the products are obtained in low to high yields.