Free-radical addition to ketimines generated in situ. New one-pot synthesis of quaternary alpha-aminoamides promoted by a H2O2/TiCl4-Zn/HCONH2 system.

A free radical multicomponent reaction mediated by an acidic TiCl(4)-Zn/H(2)O(2) system allows the assembly of an amine, a ketone, and formamide in one pot, affording instant access to quaternary alpha-amino acid derivatives.