Enantioselective αAmination of Branched Aldehydes Promoted by Simple Chiral Primary Amino Acids.

A series of simple chiral primary amino acids were first successfully applied to promote the enantioselective α-amination of branched aldehydes with azadicarboxylates and the desired adducts bearing quaternary stereogenic centers were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]