Synthesis of new 4-methyl-3-piperidones via an iron-catalyzed intramolecular tandem isomerization-aldolisation process

A new versatile synthesis of 3-piperidones is described, starting from amino acids. It uses, as a key step, an iron carbonyl-mediated intramolecular tandem isomerization-aldolisation reaction. These new heterocycles appear as useful scaffolds for the total synthesis of various types of bioactive molecules.