Water-promoted highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of α-dehydro-β-amino esters and nitriles from Baylis–Hillman acetates

The nucleophilic addition of amines to Baylis–Hillman acetates has been efficiently carried out in water at room temperature in the absence of any base, acid, or metal catalyst to produce α-dehydro-β-amino esters and nitriles. This procedure addresses a variety of aliphatic open-chain and cyclic amines and anilines. All the reactions are highly regio- and stereoselective, fast and high yielding.