Bifunctional squaramide catalyzed stereoselective Mannich reaction of alpha-azido ketones with isatin-derived ketimines

Asymmetric organocatalytic Mannich reaction of alpha-azido ketones and N-Boc protected isatin-derived ketimines were investigated for the first time. Examination of both 2-adamantyl and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline substituted quinine-based squaramides afforded chiral Mannich bases with two contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields (up to 97%) and stereoselectivity (up to dr = 24 : 1 syn : anti and 96% ee). Azido and masked amino functionalities of the potent heterocycle precursor adducts were utilized in representative examples.