The aza-Prins cyclization of homoallyl N-tosylamine with aliphatic aldehydes gives trans-2-alkyl-4-iodo-1-tosylpiperidines. This method is chemoselective as it works only with the aliphatic aldehydes, and, in the case of aromatic aldehydes, the starting materials are recovered.The aza-Prins cyclization [1], in which alkenes are used as intramolecular nucleophile, is a simple and direct method for the preparation of trans-2,4-disubstituted piperidines. Earlier, we have studied [2] the use of Me 3 SiI (TMSI) in Prins cyclization reactions for the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans. In continuation, here we report TMSIpromoted aza-Prins reaction for the synthesis of 4-iodopiperidines from N-tosyl homoallylic amines and aldehydes.Thus, treatment of 3-phenylpropanal with N-tosylbut-3-enamine in the presence of 1 equiv. of TMSI in MeCN at 08 to room temperature was found to be completed in 2 h, and the corresponding trans-4-iodo-2-(2-phenylethyl)-1-tosylpiperidine (3a) was isolated as the major isomer in 85% yield (Scheme 1). The structure of the product was established by NMR spectroscopy and NOE studies.To evaluate the scope of the reaction, several aliphatic aldehydes such as butanal, hexanal, isobutanal, cyclopentanecarbaldehyde, and cyclohexanecarbaldehyde were studied, and they were found to give the corresponding piperidines in good yields when treated with N-tosylbut-3-enamine. In all cases, the trans-diastereoisomer was obtained as the major product, and the trans-configuration was confirmed by NOE experiments. This reaction does not require any additives. Under these conditions, the aza-Prins cyclization works well only with aliphatic aldehydes, whereas, the reaction does not work with the aromatic aldehydes. Accordingly, the aza-Prins reaction using TMSI is selective. Reactions of aldehydes containing aromatic rings located in a distal position (Entries a and e; Table in Exper. Part) relative to the C¼O group, proceeded Scheme 1