Enantioselective hydrosilylation of ketimines catalyzed by Lewis basic C2-symmetric chiral tetraamide

L-Proline derived C-2-symmetric chiral tetraamide 5b was found to behave as an effective Lewis basic catalyst in the enantioselective hydrosilylation of ketimines, affording high isolated yields (up to 95%) and moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 86% ee) for a broad range of ketimines. A clear synergistic effect of the two identical diamide units of 5b was observed for asymmetric induction. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.