A method for α-alkylation of saturated 5-, 6-, 7-and 8-membered aza-heterocycles is described. The auxiliary is an o-iodobenzyl group attached at the nitrogen. A radical introduced in the o-position is transferred to the amine α-position which subsequently leads to an addition reaction with pentan-3-one.
![1-[(2-iodophenyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydroindole Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/148/138154-63-9.png)
