Direct asymmetric three-component organocatalytic anti-selective Mannich reactions in a purely aqueous system

Abstract

The direct three-component Mannich reactions of O-benzyl hydroxyacetone with p-anisidine and aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of an l-threonine-derived catalyst afforded anti-1,2-amino alcohols in good-to-excellent yields and with enantioselectivities of up to 97%. This study is the first demonstration that direct three-component Mannich reactions can be promoted by a primary amino acid in water. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.