(Polyfluoro)silane-mediated generation of azomethine ylides from imines and their cycloaddition leading to N-heterocycles

The novel generation and cycloaddition of azomethine ylides from an α-(trimethylsilyl)imine using (polyfluoro)silanes is described. The method was successfully applied to an efficient one-pot process. Namely, an azaallyl anion, generated by abstraction of the hydrogen α to an imino nitrogen, was treated with a di- or trifluorosilane to give an azomethine ylide intermediate below room temperature. The generated 1,3-dipole was smoothly trapped with dipolarophiles to afford nitrogen-containing five-membered heterocycles in good yields.