This work was sponsored by the University of Richmond, School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Chemistry.

Allylic amines are fundamental building blocks in organic chemistry, and the syntheses of allylic amines are important for industrial and synthetic goals. Gupton and coworkers have previously reported the synthesis of various analogs of vinamidinium salts from arylacetic acids via reaction with phosphorous oxychloride/DMF in excellent yield and purity. Previous studies indicate that vinamidinium salts undergo sodium borohydride reduction to give tertiary allylic amines in good yield.