We have accomplished homologation of alkyl acetates, alkyl ethers, acetals, and ketals via formal insertion of diazo esters into carbon-carbon σ-bonds. The combined Lewis acid of InI3 with Me3SiBr catalyzed the homologation of alkyl acetates and alkyl ethers. That of acetals and ketals was catalyzed solely by the use of InBr3. The key point of the homologation mechanism is that the indium-based Lewis acids have the appropriate amount of Lewis acidity to achieve both the abstraction and release of leaving groups. The abstraction of a leaving group by an indium-based Lewis acid, the electrophilic addition of carbocation or oxonium intermediates to diazo esters followed by the rearrangement of carbon substituents provides the corresponding cation intermediates. Finally, the leaving group that is captured by the Lewis acid bonds with cation intermediates to furnish the homologated products.
