Gold(III) (C^N) complex-catalyzed synthesis of propargylamines via a three-component coupling reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes

Propargylamines are synthesized in high yields via a gold(III) (C^N) complex-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes in water at 40 °C. Excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1) have been achieved when chiral prolinol derivatives are employed as the amine component. Notably, the [Au(C^N)Cl2] complex (N^CH = 2-phenylpyridine) could be repeatedly used for 10 reaction cycles, leading to an overall turnover number of 812.