Highly efficient diastereoselective reduction of alpha-fluoroimines.

A highly selective reduction of alpha-fluoroimines to the corresponding beta-fluoroamines has been developed utilizing trichlorosilane as the reductant. The key aspect of this reaction is the ability of fluorine and nitrogen to activate organosilanes leading to high diastereoselectivity (>100:1) in the product distribution. This new method provides a new avenue for the diastereoselective synthesis of beta-fluorinated amines in good yields and selectivity.