A nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction of different imines has been
developed. This method enables the first reductive cross-coupling between aryl/alkyl
imines and α-imino esters, affording α,β-diamino acid derivatives bearing quaternary
carbon centers in a single-step process. This imine umpolung strategy exhibits several
advantages, such as mild conditions and broad functional group compatibility.
Keywords
Nickel catalysis - Imines - α-Imino esters - Reductive cross-coupling - α,β-Diamino
acid derivatives