Highly Efficient aza-Baylis−Hillman Reaction of N-Tosylated Imines with MVK, Acrolein, and Phenyl Acrylate or α-Naphthyl Acrylate: Lewis Base Effects and A Convenient Method to Synthesize α,β-Unsaturated β-Amino Carbonyl Compounds

This paper describes several highly efficient aza-Baylis-Hillman reactions of N-tosylated imines with MVK, acrolein, and phenyl acrylate or alpha-naphthyl acrylate in the presence of a Lewis base. In most cases, the reaction can be completed within 1 h using the appropriate Lewis base catalyst. An efficient method to synthesize beta-amino ketones, aldehydes and esters in high yields and short reaction time has been developed.