Light promoted aqueous phase amine synthesis via three-component coupling reactions

By applying a simple TiO2–(NH4)2S2O8 system and promoted by UV light, the three-component reactions of cyclic ether, aniline and aldehyde can be progressed efficiently. 29 substituted amines with different structures were synthesized with up to 97% isolated yields. Isotope effect study revealed that the rate-determining step might be the nucleophilic addition step but not radical generation.