Copper Zeolites as Green Catalysts for Multicomponent Reactions of Aldehydes, Terminal Alkynes and Amines: An Efficient and Green Synthesis of Propargylamines

CuI-modified zeolites, especially CuI-USY, have proved to be very efficient catalysts in multicomponent reactions, allowing for a solvent-free synthesis of propargylamines from aldehydes, amines, and terminal alkynes. With a heterogeneous catalyst and in the absence of solvent, this process is among the greenest ever reported. A mechanism has been proposed for this three-component reaction.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)