Fe3O4 nanoparticle-supported copper(I) pybox catalyst: magnetically recoverable catalyst for enantioselective direct-addition of terminal alkynes to imines.

An Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle-supported copper(I) pybox catalyst, which exhibits excellent reactivity and yields products with good enantioselectivity, was developed. As a proof of concept, six optically active propargyl amines were obtained in excellent yields. The catalyst can be magnetically removed and recycled easily six times without a decrease in activity or enantioselectivity.