Primary resource: Hypervalent iodine-based aminating reagents containing a transferable (diarylmethylene)amino group can be used for the α-amination of simple carbonylcompounds such as esters, amides, and ketones in the presence of a lithium base. The (diarylmethylene)amino groups of the products can be readily modified, thus providing access to primary amines and diarylmethylamines.