Direct Enantioselective Three‐Component Synthesis of Optically Active Propargylamines in Water

An enantioselective three-component reaction of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes in water by using a bis(imidazoline)-Cu(I) catalysts having a hydrophobic substituent and sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant was developed. The reaction was applied to a broad range of aldehydes and alkynes to give optically active propargylamines with excellent yields (up to 99 %) and enantiomeric excesses (up to 99 % ee).