“…This is consistent with previous results outlined by Doyle for the aromatic addition of biaryl diazoacetamides. 29,30 On treatment of a-diazoketones 3 with the standard catalyst, Rh 2 (OAc) 4 , excellent diastereocontrol was observed, with a ratio of >98:2 (cis/trans) observed for each of the diazoketones 3aeg examined. As observed earlier with the b-substituted series 1, decreased diastereocontrol is observed through use of the more reactive catalysts Rh 2 (pfb) 4 , Rh 2 (tfa) 4 and Rh 2 (S-mand) 4 , as seen in the cyclisation of diazoketones 3b and 3c (Table 3, entries 2 and 3).…”