A new class of reagents is described for C-H functionalization by means of C-H insertion using donor/acceptor-substituted rhodium(II) carbene intermediates. The 2,2,2-trichloroethyl aryl and heteroaryl diazoacetates, together with the dirhodium triarylcyclopropane carboxylate catalyst Rh2(R-BPCP)4, enabled the enantioselective intermolecular C-H functionalization of a range of methyl ethers with high levels of site selectivity and enantioselectivity.