Selective reaction of camphor-derived exo-formyl [2.2.1]bicyclic carbinol with alkyl primary amines: application to the preparation of new chiral catalysts for asymmetric reduction of aryl ketones

Reaction of camphor-derived exo-formyl [2.2.1]bicyclic carbinol with various alkyl primary amines gave regio- and stereo-specific [3.2.1]bicyclic alpha-amino ketones. A detailed mechanism of the reaction was discussed. This reaction was further applied to the preparation of some camphor-derived oxazaborolidines, one of which proved to be an efficient chiral catalyst for the asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral aryl ketones at room temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.