Direct Synthesis of beta-Amino Aldehydes from Linear Allylic Esters Using O-2 as the Sole Oxidant

A tandem isomerization-anti-Markovnikov oxidation of linear allylic imidic esters is developed using bis(benzonitrile)palladium chloride as the catalyst and O-2 as the sole oxidant, regiospecifically giving beta-amino aldehydes as the product. tert-Butyl nitrite works as a simple, and the only, redox cocatalyst. (BuOH)-Bu-t proves to be a crucial solvent for achieving excellent yield and specificity toward anti-Markovnikov aldehyde products.