A facile two-step procedure for the preparation of Takemoto’s
catalyst is reported. The thiourea moiety was obtained by condensation
of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline with phenyl chlorothioformate
and in situ substitution of phenol by trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. Subsequent
reductive dimethylation using formaldehyde/zinc afforded
Takemoto’s catalyst.
organocatalyst - thiourea - amine - bifunctional