Diastereoselective synthesis of α-oxyamines via gold-, silver- and copper-catalyzed, three-component couplings of α-oxyaldehydes, alkynes, and amines in water

The three-component couplings of alpha-oxyaldehydes, alkynes, and amines in water were investigated by using gold, silver and copper catalysts. Gold(I) was found to be the most effective catalyst in this reaction to afford propargylamines in good yields and moderate diastereoselectivities. On the other hand, silver catalysts show the best catalytic activities on non-coordinating a-alkyl-substituted aldehydes.