Catalytic asymmetric amination of azlactones with azobenzenes.

We reported an efficient asymmetric amination of azlactones with N -aryl- N -aroyldiazenes through a chiral N , N '-dioxide-based Lewis acid catalyst. The multicoordination ability of Nd(III) enabled it to simultaneously activate and to locate the two reactants for N -selective addition. Hydrazine-bearing azlactone derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivity.