Gone fishing : When propiophenone and related ethyl ketones are treated with morpholine in the presence of K3PO4, chlorobenzene, and [Ni(cod)2]/PMe3 catalyst, a carbon–nitrogen bond is formed selectively at the β position (see scheme; cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene). Secondary amines were employed as substrates to give the corresponding β‐enaminones.
