Piperidine heterocycles are widely prevalent in drug molecules; however, their synthesis remains challenging. Now, a general approach for N-(hetero)aryl piperidine synthesis using isolable iminium salts is reported. A variety of substituents are installed at the C2 and C3 positions, giving access to densely functionalized piperidines that are challenging to obtain using other methods.
- Jacob W. Greenwood
- Matthew A. Larsen
- Aaron C. Sather