title: Chiral phenoxyimino-amido aluminum complexes for the asymmetric cyanation of aldehydes.
abstract: The reactivity of triethylaluminum towards salicylaldimine sulfonamides was probed, affording well-defined complexes through consecutive protonolysis of two Al-C bonds by the proligand. These complexes, when combined with an achiral anilinic N-oxide, catalyze the asymmetric addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to a wide range of aldehydes, with good activity and enantioselectivity (up to 91% ee). Insertion of the benzaldehyde substrate into the Al-N amido bond was observed, bringing elements for discussion around the nature of the actual active species.
authors.affiliation: Université Lille Nord de France, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ternel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agbossou-Niedercorn
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gauvin