Multicomponent Mannich reactions: General aspects, methodologies and applications

The multicomponent Mannich reaction is a green and classical method for the preparation of β-aminoketones and β-aminoaldehydes (Mannich bases) and, as such, is one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry. The resulting Mannich bases are of particular interest due to their biological activity as well as their use as synthetic building blocks and precursors of valuable pharmaceuticals products. In this context, various elegant methods for multicomponent Mannich reactions have been developing over last years. This review updates these reactions, including naphthoquinone derivatives that possess varied and important biological activities and whose Mannich reaction has been little explored in the literature.