Primary amides. A general nitrogen source for catalytic asymmetric aminohydroxylation of olefins.

N-Bromo,N-lithio salts of primary carboxamides have been shown to be efficient nitrogen sources for catalytic asymmetric aminohydroxylation of olefins, behaving much like the parent N-bromoacetamide in these reactions. alpha-Chloro-N-bromoacetamide is a particularly interesting nitrogen source, as it is functionalized for further reaction, including easy deprotection by treatment with thiourea.