Fluorinated β-nitro amines by a selective ZrCl4-catalyzed aza-Henry reaction of (E)-trifluoromethyl aldimines

Abstract

ZrCl₄ was found to be an ideal catalyst to promote aza-Henry reactions between trifluoromethyl aldimines and some nitro alkanes giving new fluorinated β-nitro amines. The reaction is strongly influenced by the CF₃ group, the yield by the alkyl chain of the nitro compound, while the stereochemical outcome seems to be unaffected, the anti isomer being always the major product.