Enantioselective hydrocyanation of N-protected aldimines.

Enantioselective hydrocyanation of N-benzyloxycarbonyl aldimines catalyzed by a Ru[(S)-phgly](2)[(S)-binap]/C(6)H(5)OLi system or a bimetallic complex [Li{Ru[(S)-phgly](2)[(S)-binap]}]Cl affords the amino nitriles in 92-99% ee. The reaction is carried out in tert-C(4)H(9)OCH(3) with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio in the range of 500-5000 at -20 to 0 °C. Primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl imines as well as the aryl and heteroaryl substrates are smoothly cyanated to produce the desired products in high yield.