Chemoselective Activation of Aldimine in Preference to Aldehyde by the Combination of BF3•OEt2 and Water: Novel Catalyst for the Mannich-type Reaction

Reported herein are that catalytic amount of conventional Lewis acids activated aldimines in preference to aldehydes, and addition of water to BF3•OEt2 accelerated the Mannich-type reaction significantly to afford (beta)-amino carbonyl compounds in high yields.