Silver-catalyzed three-component reaction of phenyldiazoacetate with arylamine and imine

Polysubstituted 1,2-diamines were obtained from the reaction of diazoesters with arylamines and diaryl imines by using the dioxazoline-Ag(I) catalyst. The Lewis acidity of silver affected the substrate diastereoselectivities and led to the formation of amine-exchange side products.