Sulfonium ion-promoted traceless Schmidt reaction of alkyl azides

Schmidt reaction by sulfonium ions is described. General primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl azides were converted to the corresponding carbonyl or imine compounds without any trace of the activators. This bond scission reaction through 1,2-migration of C-H and C-C bonds was accessible to the one-pot substitution reaction. Schmidt reaction by sulfonium ions is described. The bond scission reaction through 1,2-migration was achieved without any trace of the activators. The one-pot substitution reactions were also demonstrated.