Enantioselective α-amination of branched aldehydes promoted by simple chiral primary amino acids.

A series of simple chiral primary amino acids were first successfully applied to promote the enantioselective α-amination of branched aldehydes with azadicarboxylates and the desired adducts bearing quaternary stereogenic centers were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).