Palladium-Catalyzed Direct C−H Arylation of N-Iminopyridinium Ylides:  Application to the Synthesis of (±)-Anabasine

Palladium-catalyzed direct C-H arylation of N-iminopyridinium ylides provides a powerful and versatile method for the synthesis of functionalized piperidines in good yields. Chemoselective functionalization of the pyridinium ring in the presence of a pyridine substituent is possible as exemplified by the expedient synthesis of anabasine in 61% overall yield over three steps.