Y(NO3)3 · 6H2O catalyzed aza-Michael addition of aromatic/hetero-aromatic amines under solvent-free conditions

The aza-Michael addition of weakly nucleophilic amines with α, β-unsaturated compounds like esters, nitriles and amides has been carried out efficiently using Y(NO3)3 · 6H2O as a novel catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst exhibited remarkable activity and the methodology was applicable to a wide variety of aryl/hetero-aryl amines having different steric and electronic properties giving high yields of desired adducts at ambient conditions.