Aza-Michael reaction promoted by aqueous sodium carbonate solution

A general and efficient aza-Michael reaction promoted by aqueous sodium carbonate solution has been developed. The reaction has complete mono-alkylation selectivity and proceeds with complete chirality retention for chiral amino esters. With a broad substrate scope, a well-common catalyst and simple operation, the catalytic approach provides a facile, practicable, economical, and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds.