Enantioselective Alkenylation of Aldimines Catalyzed by a Rhodium–Diene Complex

Abstract

An efficient rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition reaction of potassium alkenyltrifluoroborates to N-nosylaldimines has been developed. Under optimal conditions, the reactions proceeded with good to excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities (97 → 99% ee). The utility of this method is demonstrated by the formal synthesis of (-)-aurantioclavine.