Highly Enantioselective Insertion of Carbenoids into NH Bonds Catalyzed by Copper(I) Complexes of Binol Derivatives

Abstract

Secondary amines do it too! Catalytic asymmetric insertion of α-diazoesters in the NH bond of differently substituted amines has been successfully achieved (see scheme; M.S.=molecular sieves). For a wide substrate scope, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % ee) and high yields (up to 99 %) were obtained under mild reaction conditions.