Organocatalytic β-Azidation of Enones Initiated by an Electron-Donor-Acceptor Complex.

An operationally straightforward organocatalytic β-azidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones is described. Reaction of the Zhdankin azidoiodane with enones in the presence of a catalytic amount of an amine provides β-azido ketones via the formation of an electron-donor-acceptor complex. The application of this protocol is demonstrated through one-step elaborations leading to the synthesis of unprecedented classes of 1,2,3-triazoles.