Reaction design in asymmetric catalysis has traditionally been predicated on a structurally robust scaffold in both substrates and catalysts, to reduce the number of possible diastereomeric transition states. Herein, we present the stereochemical dynamics in the Ni(II)-catalyzed diastereoconvergent (3 + 2) cycloadditions of isomerizable nitrile-conjugated nitrones with α-ketoesterenolates. Even in
Strecker reaction of formaldehyde, amines, and TMSCN that affords three-component coupling adducts as the major products is reported. HCOOH and TBAF are used as cocatalysts and the TMSCN functions as both cyanidesource and protecting reagent for amines. As a result, the side reactions were suppressed efficiently and a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic amines were mono-cyanomethylated in 52–99%