One-pot synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines catalyzed by Dy(OTf)(3) in aqueous solution

Various 4-substituted-1-methyltetrahydroquinolines are easily accessible from the one-pot condensation reaction of N-methylaniline with commercial formaldehyde solution and electron-rich alkenes in the presence of Dy(OTf)(3) (1 mol %) under mild conditions at ambient temperature and in the absence of any organic solvents.