Lewis acidic FeCl 3 promoted 2-aza-Cope rearrangement to afford α-substituted homoallylamines in dimethyl carbonate.

The iron(iii)-catalyzed efficient strategy for the synthesis of α-substituted homoallylamines was accomplished via a cationic 2-aza-Cope rearrangement of aldimines, generated in situ by condensation of commercially available aldehydes and easily synthesizable 1,1-diphenylhomoallylamines. This reaction features a broad substrate scope with high yields and is conducted in an eco-friendly solvent, i.e. dimethyl carbonate.