The redox-A3 reaction

Abstract

This highlight details the recent emergence of a new type of A³ reaction (three-component condensation of an amine, an aldehyde and an alkyne). In contrast to the classic A³ coupling process, the redox-A³ reaction incorporates an iminium isomerization step and leads to amine α-alkynylation. The overall transformation is redox-neutral by virtue of a combined reductive N-alkylation/oxidative C–H bond functionalization.