Copper Zeolites as Green Catalysts for Multicomponent Reactions of Aldehydes, Terminal Alkynes and Amines: An Efficient and Green Synthesis of Propargylamines

CuI‐modified zeolites, especially CuI‐USY, have proved to be very efficient catalysts in multicomponent reactions, allowing for a solvent‐free synthesis of propargylamines from aldehydes, amines, and terminal alkynes. With a heterogeneous catalyst and in the absence of solvent, this process is among the greenest ever reported. A mechanism has been proposed for this three‐component reaction.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)