Intermolecular alkyl radical additions to enantiopure N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines.

The sulfinyl group in (R)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines provides efficient control of the stereoselectivity in the intermolecular reactions with alkyl radicals. The methodology is applicable to aryl, heteroaryl, benzyl, and alkynyl imines, even those containing CN, CO2Me, COR, and OH groups. The best results are attained with hindered radicals (tertiary and secondary ones) without C═N bond reduction. This reaction complements the well-established organometallic additions to N-sulfinyl aldimines to obtain enantiomerically pure functionalized α-branched primary amines.