Alum: An efficient catalyst for one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates

Alum (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O) is an inexpensive, efficient, non-toxic and mild catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates. A three component reaction of an aldehyde/ketone, an amine and triethyl phosphite was carried out under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in short reaction times and high yields with the green aspects by avoiding toxic catalysts and solvents.