Copper-Catalyzed Addition of Diethylzinc to Boc-Protected Imines

Significance

The authors report the addition of diethylzinc to Boc-protected imines. With the ­copper and phosphoramidite complex, the α-branched amines were obtained in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. It is noteworthy that the catalyst loading could be decreased down to 1 mol% without any loss of enantioselectivity.