Nucleophilic Additions of Organolithium Reagents to Heterocyclic Aldimines

The addition of alkyllithium reagents to heterocyclic aldimines is described. This method is a straightforward two-step procedure from the starting aldehyde and amine with one purification. The ability to use unprotected indole carboxaldehydes as substrates is a key feature of this method that make it an attractive way to synthesize the corresponding amine products.