Asymmetric catalytic hydroamination of activated olefins in ionic liquids

The addition of a series of both aliphatic and aromatic amines to electron-poor olefins was investigated using [Ni(Pigiphos)(THF)](2+) as catalyst (with different counterions) in various ionic liquids based on imidazolium- and picolinium-salt derivatives. The catalysts gave rise to selectivities comparable to those obtained when the reaction was conducted in neat organic solvents (ee up to 66%), but significant higher activities, with a total turnover number (TON) of up to 300.