A new method for the catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction (cyanation) of
N-diphenylphosphinoyl ketoimines is described. The asymmetric catalyst is a chiral gadolinium complex prepared from Gd(O
iPr)
3 and the
D-glucose-derived ligand
3 in a 1:2 ratio. The reaction has a broad substrate generality, giving high enantioselectivity from aromatic, ethyl, primary alkyl, and
,
-unsaturated ketoimines. The products could be easily converted to disubstituted
-amino acids and their derivatives.