Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of imines, acid chlorides, and organostannanes: a multicomponent synthesis of alpha-substituted amides.

A copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of organotin reagents with imines and acid chlorides is reported. The reaction proceeds efficiently with a range of vinyl-, alkyl-, aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted organostannanes as well as a diverse set of imines of non-enolizable aldehydes. Use of chloroformates also allows for the formation of N-protected alpha-substituted amines. This chemistry has been applied to the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloid derivatives through the activation of cyclic imines.