NHC-Catalyzed Truce-Smiles Rearrangement of N-Aryl Methac-rylamides for the Synthesis of trans-Cinnamides

Herein we describe a NHC-catalyzed Truce-Smiles rearrangement of N-aryl methacrylamides which enables the cleavage of an inert aryl C-N bond. A range of trans-cinnamamides could be obtained by the direct construction of a C(aryl)-C(alkenyl) bond and functional groups such as Br, Cl, CN, and pyridinyl are compatible with NHC catalysis. The reaction features high atom-economy, transition-metal free catalysis, and easily available substrates.