β-cyclodextrin promoted aza-Michael addition of amines to conjugated alkenes in water

Highly efficient and environmentally benign aza-Michael additions of amines to alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds catalyzed by beta-cyclodextrin in water to produce the corresponding beta-amino compounds in excellent yields under mild conditions are described. beta-Cyclodextrin can be recovered and reused in subsequent reactions without loss of activity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.