Asymmetric aza-Mannich reactions of sulfinimines: scope and application to the total synthesis of a bromopyrrole alkaloid

[reaction: see text] An asymmetric intermolecular aza variant of the Mannich reaction is reported utilizing chiral sulfinimine anions as the nucleophile and N-sulfonyl aldimines as the electrophilic component. A wide range of nucleophiles and electrophiles are tolerated by the reaction conditions, delivering the condensation products in good to excellent yield with a high degree of stereocontrol. Application of this methodology to the total synthesis of a natural product is reported.