Stereoselective Arylation of Amino Aldehydes: Overriding Natural Substrate Control through Chelation.

The chelation-controlled arylation reaction of chiral, enantiopure acyclic α-amino aldehydes enabled by a B/Zn exchange reaction between arylboronic acids and Et2Zn is reported. The presence of dibenzyl substituents at the nitrogen plays a key role in the stereochemical outcome of the reaction, and chelation is favored over the natural tendency of this type of substrate to undergo Felkin-Anh controlled additions with organomagnesium and organolithium reagents.