Silver triflate and triphenylphosphine co-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, amine, and α,β-unsaturated ketone

A two-component activation system that combines metal catalysis (AgOTf) and the employment of catalytic amount of organocatalyst (PPh3) has been successfully employed in the three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, amine, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone. This reaction proceeds smoothly in THF under mild conditions leading to the functionalized 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines in moderate to good yields. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.