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Graphical abstract Highlights • A one pot protocol for the synthesis of quaternary α-aminosuccinimides. • Ferric Nitrate promote imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine structural metamorphosis. • A potential way to synthesize α-aromatic ring substituted quaternary amino acids. Abstract An efficient protocol has been accomplished for the synthesis of quaternary α-aminosuccinimides in toluene medium involving 2-phenylimidazo[1, 2-a]pyridine in a one-pot reaction promoted by Ferric Nitrate at 120 °C. The protocol presented herein, is for the first time, via a novel transformation where Ferric Nitrate promotes imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine structural metamorphosis to the title compound quaternary succinimides. High compatibility, easy work-up, and excellent yields are the advantages of this protocol. The quaternary α-aminosuccinimides are expected to have great potential in synthesizing quaternary α-amino acids and applications in medicinal chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]