An unusual Mannich type reaction of tertiary aromatic amines in aqueous micelles

An efficient, unusual Mannich type reaction of tertiary aromatic amines, formaldehyde and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described in aqueous micelles catalyzed by boric acid to afford dialkylaminoarylated 1,3-dicarbonyls. In this unusual Mannich type reaction, tertiary aromatic amines react with formaldehyde to generate an N-alkyl-N-(4-methylenecyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)alkylaminium intermediate (aza quinone methide), which undergoes nucleophilic addition with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. The reaction is highly regioselective, and exclusively para functionalized products are formed in high yields.