Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reactions between phenols and N-tosylaldimines catalyzed by a leucine-derived bifunctional catalyst

Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reactions between phenols and N-tosylaldimines were developed using a bifunctional catalyst readily prepared from L-leucine. The chiral benzylic amine products were obtained in high yields (up to 96% yield) and good to high enantiomeric excesses (up to 95% ee).