PFAM catalyzed enantioselective diethylzinc addition to imines

Abstract

Chiral amines are important starting materials for the synthesis of biologically important compounds. Enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to imines is a reliable method for the synthesis of these compounds. Different chiral catalysts were developed and used for this method. Phosphorous based PFAM catalysts were tried for the first time in the enantioselective synthesis of amines by reacting diethylzinc with N-sulfonyl imines and N-diphenylphosphinoyl imines. Chiral amines were isolated with moderate to acceptable yields and enantioselectivities.