Catalytic asymmetric addition of alcohols to imines: enantioselective preparation of chiral N,O-aminals.

The enantioselective addition of alcohols to imine electrophiles has been shown to proceed in the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The reaction allows for the formation of the respective chiral N,O-aminals in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. A total of 11 different alcohols and 11 different imines were successfully used as a clear demonstration of the reaction generality.