,3-bis(acetoxymethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene 1 undergoes nucleop
hilic attack of secondary amines under catalyzed Pd(0) reaction condit
ions. The influence of various tertiary amines as acceptor bases on th
e reaction as well as the nature of the organophosphorus ligands on th
e metal has been investigated. The use of chiral heterocyclic ligands
led to the formation of the monoaminated product 2e with enantiomeric
excess up to 89%. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.