Highly diastereoselective synthesis of vicinal diamines via a Rh-catalyzed three-component reaction of diazo compounds with diarylmethanimines and ketimines

A Rh-catalyzed diastereoselective three-component reaction of diazo compounds with diarylmethanimines and ketimines has been reported that offers an efficient and convenient access to vicinal diamine derivatives with two tertiary stereocenters in high yields (75%->95%) with high to excellent diastereoselectivities. Moreover, the generated product could be easily converted to free diamines via hydrolysis of the imine motif under mild conditions.