One-pot preparation of methyl 2-diazo-3-oxopropionates comprising an aqueous ‘sulfonyl-azide-free’ (SAFE) diazo transfer step

Methyl 2-diazo-3-oxopropionates were obtained by in situ methoxycarbonylation of methyl ketones followed by diazo transfer onto active methylene group of the intermediate β-oxo esters. At the second stage, ‘sulfonyl-azide-free’ (SAFE) diazo transfer protocol in aqueous medium was employed.