Direct Asymmetric Amination of α‑Branched Cyclic Ketones Catalyzed by a Chiral Phosphoric Acid

Here we report the direct asymmetric amination of α-substituted cyclic ketones catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid, yielding products with a N-containing quaternary stereocenter in high yields and excellent enantio­selectivities. Kinetic resolution of the starting ketone was also found to occur on some of the substrates under milder conditions, providing enantio­enriched α-branched ketones, another important building block in organic synthesis. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated in the short synthesis of (S)-ketamine, the more active enantiomer of this versatile pharmaceutical.