First chemo- and stereoselective reduction of imines using trichlorosilaneactivated with N-formylpyrrolidine derivatives

Trichlorosilane activated with N-formylpyrrolidine derivatives was found to be an effective reagent for reduction of imines to amines. The reagent sho wed much higher selectivity toward imino groups than carbonyl groups. The r eduction of imines using trichlorosilane activated with optically active N- formylproline derivatives gave enantiomerically enriched amines in moderate optical yields (up to 66% ee). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.