Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Direct α-C-H Alkylation of Saturated Cyclic Amines with Alkenes.

Enantioselective direct α-C(sp3)-H alkylation of saturated cyclic amines having N-methylbenzimidazolyl as a directing group was realized by using a cationic iridium/chiral diphosphine catalyst. The alkylation of pyrrolidine derivatives with various terminal alkenes proceeded to give α-alkylated products in high yields with high enantioselectivities. Chiral α,α'-dialkylated pyrrolidine derivatives were also synthesized by using an excess of alkenes or by stepwise alkylation.