A facile synthesis of β-amino-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been accomplished
by the reaction of (E)-N,N-dimethyl enaminones with isothiocyanates under metal-, catalyst-, base-, and additive-free
conditions. The reaction is straightforward and offers transamination with good substrate
scope and functional group tolerance. Notably, the aryl isothiocyanates serve both
as an amine surrogate as well as an activating agent.
Keywords
Transamination - Catalyst-free - Aryl isothiocyanates
