Tandem N-alkylation/vinylogous aldol reaction of β,γ-alkenyl α-iminoester.

This report describes a highly regioselective tandem N-alkylation/vinylogous aldol reaction of β,γ-alkenyl α-iminoesters. The sulfur group improves the regioselectivity of the directed vinylogous aldol reaction, providing a new synthetic method of 3-amino-2-pyrones.