Regioselective addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianion to N-sulfonyl aldimines: an expedient route to N-sulfonyl piperidines and N-sulfonyl azetidines

A simple route for the synthesis of δ-amino-β-keto esters and δ-amino-β-diketones is reported. This involves regioselective addition of 1,3-dianions derived from ethyl acetoacetate and acetyl acetone to N-sulfonyl aldimines. The δ-amino-β-keto ester derivatives were further converted into the corresponding N-sulfonyl piperidines and N-sulfonyl azetidines.