A new Yb3+-catalyzed pinacol and imine-coupling reaction

Ytterbium triflate, Yb(OTf)3, catalyzes the intermolecular reductive homocouplings of imines, aldehydes, and ketones at loadings of 5 mol % in the presence of Mg and Me3SiCl to give isolated yields of up to 95%. Diastereoselectivity of up to 4/96 (dl/meso) is achieved for aromatic aldehydes, up to 100% dl for aliphatic aldehydes, and 100% dl for an intramolecular imine coupling.