Dual nucleophilic/electrophilic capture of in situ generated iminium ethers: towards the synthesis of functionalized amide building blocks.

Rearranging its feathers: The transformation of simple linear amides into a diverse range of branched, functionalized products by conversion to iminium esters is followed by sequential treatment with nucleophiles and electrophiles (see scheme). The method takes advantage of a novel Claisen rearrangement and the use of aromatic substrates greatly facilitates the formation of the intermediate iminium ether.