β-Cyclodextrin promoted aza-Michael addition of amines to conjugated alkenes in water

Highly efficient and environmentally benign aza-Michael additions of amines to α,β-unsaturated compounds catalyzed by β-cyclodextrin in water to produce the corresponding β-amino compounds in excellent yields under mild conditions are described. β-Cyclodextrin can be recovered and reused in subsequent reactions without loss of activity.