Enantioselective Rh(I)-Catalyzed Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Cyclic Ketimines.

A method for the enantioselective synthesis of chiral α-tertiary amines via Rh-catalyzed 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to cyclic ketimines is described. The products are efficiently accessed in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities using a commercially available chiral ligand. The reaction scope includes vinyl, aryl, and heteroarylboronic acids with yields ranging from 40% to 99% and enantiomeric excesses from 88% to 99%. Conversion of an addition product into an α,α-diaryl-substituted amino acid is also demonstrated.