A recyclable chiral auxiliary for the asymmetric syntheses of α-aminonitriles and α-aminophosphinic derivatives

Abstract Optically active α-aminonitriles and α-aminophosphinic derivatives have been prepared in high yield and high ee using an easy route by extending our previously developed method involving the following sequence: (i) stereoselective Strecker condensation of a chiral ketone with HCN and NH 3 followed by (ii) condensation with RCHO, an HCN donor or a phosphinate and (iii) regioselective decomposition of the intermediate to release the target compound. The third step enables the easy regeneration of the initial chiral ketonic auxiliary.