Asymmetric synthesis of chiral N-sulfinyl 3-alkyl- and 3-arylpiperidines by α-alkylation of N-sulfinyl imidates with 1-chloro-3-iodopropane.

α-Alkylation of N-sulfinyl imidates with 1-chloro-3-iodopropane successfully led to 2-substituted N-tert-butanesulfinyl-5-chloropentanimidates in acceptable diastereomeric ratios (dr 67/33 to 72/28) and good yields (74-86%). Subsequent reduction with NaBH(4) led to the corresponding 2-substituted N-tert-butanesulfinyl-5-chloropentylamines, which could be cyclized to a range of new chiral 3-substituted N-tert-butanesulfinylpiperidines using NaH in DMSO. Finally, the N-tert-butanesulfinylpiperidines could be efficiently deprotected to enantiomerically pure 3-alkyl- and 3-arylpiperidine hydrochlorides.