Synlett 2009(1): 35-38  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1087484
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

N-Alkylimidazole as Amphiphilic Organocatalyst: ‘Catalytic’ Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction on Water without Organic Solvent

Keisuke Asano, Seijiro Matsubara*
Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoutodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
Fax: +81(75)3832459; e-Mail: matsubar@orgrxn.mbox.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 September 2008
Publication Date:
12 December 2008 (online)

Abstract

In the presence of water, a Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction between methyl vinyl ketone and various aldehydes was performed with a catalytic amount of an imidazole carrying a hydrophobic group.