Catalytic decomposition of diazomethane as a general method for the methylenation of chemical compounds

The principal advances and trends in the application of diazomethane as a methylenating agent in synthetic chemistry using transition and non-transition metal compounds as catalysts are surveyed and analysed. The catalytic reactions of diazomethane with olefins, acethylenes, aromatic compounds, ketones, alcohols and amines are examined. A systematic account is given of data concerning the influence of the structure of the initial substrates and of the nature of the catalyst components on the regio- and stereo-selectivity of the reactions considered. The possibilities of the catalytic conversion by diazomethane (generated in situ) of unsaturated compounds into cyclopropane derivatives are considered. The bibliography includes 284 references.