Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines

The addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines is a convenient method for the preparation of optically enriched amines. Herein we present our most recent results on this reaction, including solvent effects on the enantioselectivity and the extension of this method to a variety of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines.