Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich-Type Reaction of α‑Haloacetonitriles

An\nasymmetric Mannich-type addition of aldimines and haloacetonitriles\nis reported here, yielding halogenated aminonitriles with excellent\nstereoselectivity, facilitated by a pincer Ni(II) complex as a catalyst.\nHaloacetonitriles are recognized as reactive electrophiles, and the\npossibility of their use as a pronucleophile has been almost neglected\nfor many years. The resulting adduct can be readily converted into\nvarious valuable derivatives, including chiral aziridines, starting\nfrom chlorinated compounds.