The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction in aqueous-organic solvent system

We have found that water and organic solvents mixed at different proportions can give good to excellent yields and short reaction times for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. The present Letter details our findings in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction between several aromatic aldehydes and methyl acrylate or acrylonitrile. The selection of the catalyst was also evaluated and DABCO affored the best results when compared to DBU, DMAP, HMT, Imidazole and Triethylamine.