The synthesis of a variety of differently substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahyd
roquinolines by a new three-component reaction involving an imine (Ar-
N=CHR), an a-branched and enolizable aldehyde ((RRCHCHO)-R-1-C-2), and
a nucleophile (ROH, ArSH, ArNH2, H2O) is described. The in situ gener
ation of the imine (that allows a four-component process), and the rea
ctions of an enantiomerically pure imine and/or aldehyde were also stu
died. A short discussion of the reaction mechanism is reported. (C) 19
97 Elsevier Science Ltd.