Highly diastereoselective synthesis of new optically active aminoalcohols in one step from (+)-camphor and (-)-fenchone

New optically active aminoalcohols have been prepared from CeCl3-activated (+)-camphor and (-)-fenchone and N-functionalized organolithium compounds. The aminoalcohols obtained catalyze the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde in high yields and enantioselectivities up to 64%. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.