N-Alkylation/aldol reaction of α-aldimino thioesters: a facile three-component coupling reaction.

Theoretical calculation of the reactivity of α-imino thioesters indicates that they are very reactive substrates for Umpolung N-alkylation. In fact, treatment of α-aldimino thioesters with dialkylzinc reagents in the presence of aldehydes or imines gives three-component coupling products in good yields.