Stereoselective allylation and reduction of N-tert-butanesulfinyl-α-keto aldimines

A simple methodology for the synthesis of N-tert-butanesulfinyl-α-keto aldimines from both α-keto aldehydes and carboxylic esters has been developed. The addition of an in situ formed allyl indium reagent to these chiral imines was also studied. The addition took place in a sequential manner, first to the imine group with excellent diastereoselectivity and then to the carbonyl group with lower diastereoselectivity. Ruthenium-catalyzed ring closing metathesis of the resulting 5-aminoocta-1,7-dien-4-ol derivatives provided access to 6-aminocyclohex-3-enols. Reduction of the α-keto aldimines led to N-tert-butanesulfinyl-1,2-aminoalcohols as a 1:1 diastereomeric mixture.