Generalized access to fluorinated β-keto amino compounds through asymmetric additions of α,α-difluoroenolates to CF3-sulfinylimine.

CF3-containing chiral imines readily react with α,α-difluoroenolates affording a novel type of β-keto-amino compounds featuring the R-CO-CF2-CH(NH2)-CF3 moiety. The reactions feature exceptional generality allowing preparation of various aromatic, hetero-aromatic and aliphatic derivatives in high yields and diastereoselectivity. The products are configurationally stable and can be transformed to more functionalized complex compounds.