Synthesis of Piperidin-4-one Derivatives via α-Imino Rhodium Carbene-Initiated 1,2-Aryl/Alkyl Migration and Annulation

Valuable piperidin-4-one derivatives were synthesized in excellent yields via an α-imino carbene-initiated cascade reaction involving 1,2-aryl/alkyl migration and annulation. The excellent selectivity of alkyl migration was attributed to the neighboring group participation of 2-bromoethyl. Features such as high efficiency, excellent migrating selectivity, broad substrate scope, and convenient one-pot procedure qualified this protocol as an effective tool for piperidine derivative synthesis. The product could be transformed to a bioactive molecule easily. The migration-annulation reaction of α-imino carbene provided a powerful strategy for heterocycle construction.