Asymmetric Induction with Amidocuprates

Optically active amines such as R- or S-a-methylbenzylamine and 4S,5S-(+)-5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane can be lithiated with an alkyllithium and added to an organcopper(I) compound, prepared from lithium reagent and CuI, to give a chiral organocuprates. The 3-phenylcyclohexanone obtained from such a phenyl cuprate and 2-cyclohexenone has up to 50% e.e.