Multicomponent one-pot procedure for the synthesis of free alpha-chiral amines from aldehydes.

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of free alpha-chiral amines by a one-pot multicomponent procedure from commercially available starting materials is described. This enantioselective reaction involves a catalytic asymmetric addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-diphenylphosphinoylimines with use of an air-stable precatalyst complex 1. The alpha-chiral amines are prepared with a one-pot procedure from alkyl and aryl aldehydes in good yield (41-90%) and with excellent enantioselectivity (90-97% ee).