Synthesis and resolution of a novel chiral diamine ligand and application to asymmetric lithiation-substitution

[GRAPHICS] A short, efficient synthesis of chiral 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins (7) is presented. In the lithiation of N-Boc pyrrolidine, the ligands with the smallest most electron rich R groups (Me > Et > (CH2Bu)-Bu-t > CH2CF3 approximate to Bn) were most effective. In the asymmetric deprotonation/substitution of benzylic substrates, (R,R)-7 (R = Me, R' = H) conferred modest selectivity. The ready availability of both enantiomers of the 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins and the ability to tune steric and electronic properties renders these compounds an attractive new class of diamine ligands.