Diastereoselective Synthesis of Cyclopropane Amino Acids Using Diazo Compounds Generated in situ. -An efficient method for the diastereoselective synthesis of cyclopropane amino acids is presented, involving the reaction of dehydroamino acids (II), (VI) and (VIII) with in situ generated aryldiazomethanes (from tosylhydrazone salts). The diastereoselectivity can be directed by the reaction conditions. Thus, good to high trans-selectivity is achieved in the absence of metal catalysts [cf. (VII)], while good cis-selectivity is accessible in the presence of FeCl(tpp) catalyst [cf. (IX)]. The method is applied to the formal synthesis of dopa decarboxylase inhibitor (XVI) via trans-cyclopropane derivative (XI) and of coronamic acid (XVII) via cis-cyclopropane (XIV). -(ADAMS, L. A.; AGGARWAL*, V. K.; BONNERT, R. V.; BRESSEL, B.; COX, R. J.; SHEPHERD, J.; DE VICENTE, J.; WALTER, M.; WHITTINGHAM, W. G.; WINN, C. L.; J. Org. Chem. 68 (2003) 24, 9433-9440; Sch. Chem., Univ. Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK; Eng.) -Mischke 15-071 2004 Cyclopropane derivatives