Asymmetric addition of dimethylzinc to N-tosylarylimines catalyzed by a rhodium-diene complex toward the synthesis of chiral 1-arylethylamines

A rhodium complex coordinated with a chiral diene, (RR)-2,5-diphenylbicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene (Ph-bod*), catalyzed the asymmetric addition of dimethylzinc to N-tosylarylimines to give high yields of chiral 1-aryl-1-ethylamines with high enantioselectivity (94-98% ee).