The radical decarboxylation of beta- and gamma-amino acids on treatment with Phl(OAC)(2)-I-2 is a mild and efficient methodology to synthesize halogenated or oxygenated nitrogen heterocycles. The reaction was applied to the synthesis of bioactive products, such as opioid analogues, iminosugars and new antifungic agents. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.