Utilization of biocatalytic promiscuity for direct Mannich reaction

A lipase-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction of arylamines with aromatic aldehydes and ketones including cyclohexanone, butanone and 1-hydroxy-2-propanone was developed under EtOH/H2O system in a “one-pot” strategy. A series of experiments on the promiscuous activity of lipases were performed to optimize the biocatalytic process, and a wide scope of substrates was expanded with good yields.