Asymmetric Synthesis of N,O-Aminals

Significance

The organocatalytic enantioselective addition of alcohols to N-benzoylimines was achieved for the first time using chiral phosphoric acid catalysis. Aromatic and aliphatic im­ines reacted with branched and unbranched alcohols to give the corresponding N,O-aminals in good yields and enantioselectivities. Remarkably high enantiomeric ratios were obtained although the reaction proceeded in the same manner but racemic when no catalyst was present.