Tandem enantioselective conjugate addition-Mannich reactions: efficient multicomponent assembly of dialkylzincs, cyclic enones and chiral N-sulfinimines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2008.02.076

A convenient access to enantiopure β-amino ketones through a multicomponent reaction of dialkyl zinc reagents, cyclic enones and chiral N-tert-butanesulfinimines is disclosed. Four diastereoisomers can be selectively obtained by the appropriate choice of the chiral ligand (L or ent-L) and the chiral N-sulfinimine (R_S or S_S). The protocol is particularly efficient when enolisable N-sulfinimines are used.