DABCO-catalyzed reactions of hydrazones with activated olefins

This paper describes several highly efficient DABCO-catalyzed aza-Michael addition reactions of hydrazones to activated olefins. In most cases, these aza-Michael addition reactions gave the corresponding products in high yields under mild conditions. The plausible reaction mechanism is discussed on the basis of deuterium labeling experiments. Upon treatment with HCl, the corresponding cyclized products can be obtained in high yields from the Michael addition products.