Stereoselective reactions with imines

By the activation of general imines or using activated imines (N-tosylimine s or N-diphenyl-phosphinoylimines), we developed three types of stereoselec tive reactions with imines: aldol reaction, allylation, and aziridiantion, and optically active 2-imidazolines and aziridines were obtained. According to experimental evidences, Sakurai-Hosomi reactions in the presence of cat alytic amount of TBAF was demonstrated to be a fluoride-triggered autocatal ytic mechanism. In addition, optically active 2,3-diamino acids were also s ynthesised conveniently by chemical transformations of 2-imidazolines.