Practical highly enantioselective synthesis of propargylamines through a copper-catalyzed one-pot three-component condensation reaction

The one-pot three-component reaction of terminal alkynes, aldehydes and secondary amines in the presence of copper(I) bromide/quinap is reported. The reaction scope has been determined and a broad variety of all three components has been used, which afforded the corresponding propargylamines in good to excellent yields and moderate to very good enantioselectivities. The reaction showed a strong positive nonlinear effect. The transformation of a propargylamine intermediate into the alkaloid (S)-(+)-coniine has also been described.