Switching the N-Alkylation of Arylamines with Benzyl Alcohols to Imine Formation Enables the One-Pot Synthesis of Enantioenriched -N-Alkylaminophosphonates

The selective N-alkylation of anilines with benzylic alcohols can be switched in favor of the dehydrogenative condensation process using the nitrile-ligated Knolker's complex by conducting the reaction either in a closed system under inert conditions, or in an open system in air. The selective formation of imines, containing reactive C=N bonds, provides an opportunity towards further functionalization. Indeed, a one-pot three-component condensation of alcohols, amines and phosphites, promoted by an iron-based Knolker-type complex in combination with a chiral BINOL-based phosphoric acid, provides access to enantioenriched -N-alkylaminophosphonates.