# Asymmetric Mannich reaction of aromatic imines with malonates in the presence of multifunctional catalysts

## TL;DR

This paper describes a highly efficient and selective method for an asymmetric Mannich reaction using multifunctional organocatalysts.

## Contribution

The study introduces new enantiomerically pure organocatalysts that enable high stereoselectivity in the reaction.

## Key findings

- Amino acid-derived catalysts produced Mannich adducts with up to 98% enantiomeric excess.
- Hydrogen and halogen bonds, along with steric effects, contribute to the reaction's stereoselectivity.
- Multifunctional catalysts were synthesized and tested for their effectiveness in the reaction.

## Abstract

Various multifunctional enantiomerically pure organocatalysts were synthesized and screened in asymmetric Mannich reaction. The reaction of aromatic imines with malonates in the presence of amino acid-derived catalysts gave Mannich adducts in very high enantiomeric purities (up to 98% ee). It is proposed that a network of hydrogen and halogen bonds with Lewis bases, together with the steric effect of the tert-butyl group of the catalyst, is responsible for the high stereoselectivity of the reaction.