A catalyst-free aza-Michael addition/C(sp3)-O bond formation tandem reaction of substituted amino ferrocenes with quinone esters was developed, which provided a green and efficient strategy for the construction of a C(sp3)-O bond from C(sp3)-H, and a series of N-ferrocene-substituted benzodihydrooxazoles were smoothly produced in moderate to excellent yields (up to >99% yield). The mechanism experiments showed that quinone esters performed as both substrate and oxidant. The salient features of this transformation include good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope and mild conditions.

The highlighted reaction is catalyzed by rhodium and not, as indicated in the title and the first line, by ruthenium. We apologize for this mistake. SYNFACTS 1 7 0 4 2014, 105 , 0551 Advanced online publication: 1 8 6 1 -1 9 5 8 1 8 6 1 -1 9 4 X