Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,5,5-trisubstituted piperidines bearing a quaternary stereocenter. Vinyl sulfonamide as a new amine protecting group.

An organocatalytic desymmetrizing intramolecular aza-Michael reaction with vinyl sulfonamides as nucleophilic nitrogen source has been devised for the synthesis of a new family of 2,5,5-trisubstituted piperidines bearing a quaternary sterocenter. The process takes place with excellent levels of enantioselectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivity. The vinyl sulfonamide moiety can be removed by means of an ozonolysis reaction.