Metalation of α-diazocarbonyl compounds using Grignard reagents. A convenient synthesis of α-diazo-β-ketoesters and mixed esters of α-diazomalonate

α-Diazocarbonyl compounds react with methylmagnesium bromide at −78 °C generating the corresponding α-diazo-α-bromomagnesio species, which can be intercepted by various electrophilic reagents. For example, with alkyl chloroformates α-diazo-β-ketoesters or mixed esters of α-diazomalonate are obtained in good yields.