Asymmetric synthesis of α,α-diaryl and α-aryl-α-heteroaryl alkylamines by organometallic additions to N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines

Organometallic addition to tert-butanesufinyl ketimines derived from diaryl and aryl-heteroaryl ketones provided the corresponding α,α-diaryl and α-aryl-α-heteroaryl alkylamines in good yield with high diastereoselectivity. In many cases, imine facial selectivity is reversed on changing the organometallic counterion.