An efficient and facile one-pot synthesis of propargylamines by three-component coupling of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes via C–H activation catalyzed by NiCl2

NiCl2 was found to be a highly efficient and effective catalyst for the one-pot three-component (A3) coupling of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes to produce propargylamines in nearly quantitative yields. Structurally divergent aldehydes, amines, and alkynes were converted into the corresponding propargylamines. No co-catalyst or activator is needed and water is the only byproduct of this novel protocol.