SnCl4 · 5H2O-catalyzed synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds via a direct Mannich-type reaction.

An efficient three-component, one-pot synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds from aromatic ketones, aromatic aldehydes, and aromatic amines using tin tetrachloride at room temperature in ethanol is described. The advantages of the new method are good yields (62-96%), simple workup, and inexpensive catalyst.