Catalytic enantioselective decarboxylative cyanoalkylation of imines by using palladium pincer complexes with C2-symmetric chiral bis(imidazoline)s.

Manifold products: The enantioselective decarboxylative Mannich-type reaction of cyanoacetic acid with N-(2-pyridinesulfonyl)imines catalyzed by chiral 1,3-bis(imidazolin-2-yl)benzene (Phebim)-Pd(II) complexes afforded products with good enantioselectivity (see scheme). The reaction was applied to a wide range of imines with good yield and enantioselectivity. The obtained products can be converted into various compounds without the loss of enantiopurity.