Fe-catalyzed synthesis of substituted N-aryl oxazolidines.

A novel iron-catalyzed synthesis of substituted N-aryl oxazolidines was developed via C-N bond formation and methylenation. The reaction of aryl hydroxylamines with allyl alcohols, in the presence of formaldehyde or its equivalents, afforded variety of oxazolidine heterocycles in very good yields. This catalytic method is most effective for para-substituted aryl hydroxylamines and 3-methyl allyl alcohols.

Fe-Catalyzed Direct α C-H Amination of Carbonyl Compounds.

A direct Fe-catalyzed α-amination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been accomplished using arylhydroxylamines as aminating agents. This novel protocol allows convenient access to α-amino carbonyl derivatives without the need for any postreaction manipulations. This is an operationally simple procedure that works at low temperatures in shorter reaction times and produces high yields with excellent N-selectivity.