title: Direct catalytic enantioselective alpha-aminomethylation of aldehydes.
abstract: The direct catalytic asymmetric alpha-aminomethylation of aldehydes is presented. The chiral amine and amino acid catalyzed reactions between unmodified aldehydes and a formaldehyde-derived imine precursor were fast and proceeded with high chemo- and enantioselectivities. The corresponding dibenzyl-protected gamma-amino alcohols were isolated in high yields with up to 98% ee after in situ reduction. The reaction is a novel entry to valuable beta(2)-amino acid derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, The Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ibrahem
authors.forename: Gui-Ling
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Córdova