New organocatalysts for the asymmetric reduction of imines with trichlorosilane

Asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketimines 1a-f with trichlorosilane can be catalyzed by the Lewis-basic formamides (S)-4a,b, derived from N-methyl valine, with ≤91% enantioselectivity and low catalyst loading (≤5 mol %) at room temperature in toluene.