Recent advances in copper-catalyzed imine-based multicomponent reactions

Multicomponent Reactions (MCRs) based on imines are experiencing a growing interest in organic chemistry, due to the availability of different aldehydes and amines, and the versatile and amenable chemical behaviour of imines. This rise in popularity is also due to the impulse given by the development of copper-catalyzed MCRs, as copper is an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly metal that can drive the addition of a third component in providing Mannich-type adducts. This digest paper covers a selection of recent advances in copper-catalyzed imine-based MCRs where the third component is an alkyne, an organoboron reagent, an allene/alkene or a cyanide.