Tf-based sulfamide-amine alcohol-catalyzed enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes

A series of new chiral Tf-based sulfamide-amine alcohols (Tf-based SAA) were synthesized from natural chiral (−)-ephedrine and aziridines derived from commercially available chiral amino alcohols. Among these ligands, 3a was found to be more effective for the addition reaction of alkynylzinc to aromatic aldehyes at room temperature without using other kinds of metal species, providing 81-92% ee and up to 99% yields.