Reaction of N-vinylic phosphazenes with alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. Azatriene-mediated synthesis of dihydropyridines and pyridines derived from beta-amino acids.

Aza-Wittig reaction of N-vinylic phosphazenes (1,2 addition), derived from diphenylmethylphosphine or derived from trimethylphosphine with alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, leads to the formation of 3-azatrienes through a [2 + 2]-cycloaddition-cycloreversion sequence. The presence of an alkyl substituent in position 3 of N-vinylic phosphazenes increases the steric interactions, and [4 + 2] periselectivity (1,4 addition) is observed. Reaction of azatrienes with alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes yields pyridines.