Gallium iodide/iodine as a versatile reagent for the aza-Prins cyclization: an expeditious synthesis of 4-iodopiperidines

4-Iodopiperidines are prepared in good yields and with high selectivity by means of aza-Prins-cyclization using a catalytic amount of gallium(III) iodide and a stoichiometric amount of iodine under mild reaction conditions. This is the first report on the preparation of 4-iodopiperidines via aza-Prins-cyclization.