aza-Michael Addition of Primary Amines by Lipases and Microwave Irradiation: A Green Protocol for the Synthesis of Propanenitrile Derivatives

In this study aza-Michael addition reactions were used as a Green chemistry protocol to synthesize propanenitrile derivatives. The reactions were performed in both presence and absence of lipases, under orbital shaking and microwave irradiation, using water as a protic solvent and hexane as an aprotic solvent. aza-Michael adducts were synthesized with acceptable yields, under microwave irradiation and water as solvent in the presence of lipase from Candida antarctica in a very short period of time (30 s). The study shows that lipases can be used as a microwave reactor to significantly reduce the reaction time so that yields similar to those of orbital shaking can be obtained.