Chiral diamine-copper(I) complexes as asymmetric catalysts in the enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to imines

The stereoselective addition of phenyl acetylene to imines, catalysed by chiral bis-amine-Cu(I) complexes was studied. The chiral ligands are either commercially available or easily prepared in one or two steps. This very convenient and extremely simple experimental procedure at room temperature allowed optically active propargyl amines to be obtained in good yields with enantio-selectivities up to 70%.