An unusual Michael addition–dealkylation or elimination via the reaction of tertiary or secondary amines with a (Z)-iodoacrylate

A series of (E)-ammonium or amino acrylates have been prepared via the Michael addition of methyl (Z)-iodoacrylate and several secondary and tertiary alkylamines. Tertiary amines undergo concomitant addition–dealkylation, almost quantitatively producing (E)-dialkylamino acrylates.