The Mukaiyama aldol reaction of in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds: Selective C-N bond formation and N-O bond cleavage in one-pot for α-amination of ketones

A practical protocol for the α-amination of ketones (up to 99% yield) has been developed via the Mukaiyama aldol reaction of in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds. The reaction with silyl enol ethers having a disilane (-SiMe2TMS) backbone proceeded not only with perfect N-selectivity but concomitant N-O bond cleavage was also accomplished. Such a cascade of C-N bond formation and N-O bond cleavage in a single step was heretofore unknown in the field of nitrosocarbonyl chemistry. A very high diastereoselectivity (dr = 19 : 1) was accomplished using (-)-menthol derived chiral nitrosocarbonyl compounds.