*2.3. Aniline Nucleophiles*

Anilines were also tested in this reaction, and, to our delight, *N*-methylaniline gave a cyclopropyl amine (+)-**23ack** in 55% and dr 3:1. *p*-Flouro-N-methylaniline can be utilized in the described reaction, providing a tetrasubstituted cyclopropane (+)-**23acm** with similar diastereoselectivity and yield. It was found that increased steric hindrance at the Ntermini of the pronucleophile had a significant effect on the reaction course. Thus, aniline bearing an ethyl substituent greatly increased the reaction's efficacy; the diastereoselectivity increased to 13:1 for (+)-**23acl**. The utilization of naphtyl-substituted bromocyclopropane

precursor gave exclusive formation of (+)-**23dal** (Scheme 5). Unfortunately, anilines with the secondary alkyl group at the nitrogen atom did not participate in this reaction, most likely due to the excessive steric demands (compound **23ddl** in Scheme 5).
