Asymmetric Synthesis of syn- and anti-1,3-Amino Alcohols

The first application of metalloenamines derived from N-sulfinyl imines is reported for the highly diastereoselective addition to aldehydes. Reduction of the beta-hydroxy-N-sulfinyl imine products with catecholborane and LiBHEt3 provides syn- and anti-1,3-amino alcohol derivatives, respectively, with very high diastereomeric ratios.