Squaric acid as an impressive organocatalyst for Michael addition in water

A simple, green, and environmentally benign protocol for squaric acid (5 mg) catalyst conjugate addition of aromatic amines and thiols to unsaturated carbonyl compounds in water in good to excellent yields is developed. The advantages of low sensitivity toward moisture and oxygen, high tolerance of different functional groups, green reaction media and efficient recyclability make this organocatalyst suitable for both laboratory and industrial scale synthesis of beta-substituted carbonyls under very mild conditions. (C) 2011 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.