Catalytic Enantioselective Reaction of α-Aminoacetonitriles Using Chiral Bis(imidazoline) Palladium Catalysts.

The catalytic enantioselective reaction of diphenylmethylidene-protected α-aminoacetonitriles with imines has been developed. Good yields and diastereo- and enantioselectivities were observed for the reaction of various imines using chiral bis(imidazoline)/Pd catalysts. The reaction of α-aminonitriles with di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate afforded chiral α,α-diaminonitriles in high yields with high enantioselectivities.