Tin Triflate Catalysed Selective Synthesis ofN,N′-Unsymmetrically SubstitutedN-(Hydroxyclovanyl)-N′-aryl Acetamidines

The unsymmetrically substituted amidines 6a-d have been prepared in one step from caryophyllene oxide (2), aromatic amines (4a-c, 5), and tin triflate as catalyst, in refluxing MeCN.