Lewis Base Catalyzed Mannich‐Type Reactions between Trimethylsilyl Enol Ethers and Aldimines

Lewis base catalyzed Mannich‐type reaction between trimethylsilyl enol ethers and N ‐tosylaldimines is described. Nitrogen anions generated from amides or imides such as lithium benzamide or potassium phthalimide are found to be effective Lewis base catalysts in DMF at room temperature to afford the corresponding β‐amino carbonyl compounds in good to high yields; the oxygen anion generated from carboxylic acids such as lithium acetate was also found to be effective in dry DMF. The above‐mentioned lithium acetate‐catalyzed Mannich‐type reaction between aldimines and various trimethylsilyl (TMS) enol ethers such as silyl ketene acetal proceeded smoothly even in water‐containing DMF. Then, Lewis base catalyzed three‐component Mannich‐type reactions of TMS enol ether, tosylamide, and aromatic aldehyde having electron‐withdrawing group such as p ‐nitrobenzaldehyde were investigated. The reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β‐amino ester in good yield. Further, ammonium carboxylates such as tetrabutyl ammonium acetate or tetrabutyl ammonium benzoate were found to be more effective Lewis base catalysts in the above‐mentioned Mannich‐type reaction. The synthesis proceeded in various solvents at lower temperatures. The reaction between aldimines and TMS enol ethers generated from thioester and various ketones such as propiophenone or cyclohexanone also proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β‐amino carbonyl compounds in high yields with good to high anti ‐selectivities.