N-phosphinoylimines:: An emerging class of reactive intermediates for stereoselective organic synthesis

N-Phosphinoylimines have recently begun to attract significant attention from synthetic chemists for the preparation of nitrogen-containing molecules. Several methods have been developed for the synthesis, or in situ generation, of these reactive electrophilic species. N-Phosphinoylimines undergo a wide range of reactions, including nucleophilic additions and cycloadditions. These imines are also effective electrophiles in a number of diastereoselective and enantioselective reactions. An advantage of using N-phosphinoylimines is that the reaction products can be easily deprotected under mild acidic conditions, leading to amines. This review outlines the preparation and uses of N-phosphinoylimines with particular emphasis on their applications in stereoselective processes.