Iron-Catalyzed Oxidation of Tertiary Amines: Synthesis of β-1,3-Dicarbonyl Aldehydes by Three-Component C-C Couplings

beta-1,3-Dicarbonyl aldehydes were synthesized by iron-catalyzed oxidative reactions between 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and two molecules of tertiary amines in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). alpha,beta-Unsaturated aldehydes generated by tertiary amine oxidation In situ act as key intermediates under mild reaction conditions.