Aerobic oxidative Mannich reaction promoted by catalytic amounts of stable radical cation salt.

A catalytic amount of triarylaminium salt is demonstrated to be an efficient initiator for oxidative Mannich reaction of tertiary amines and nonactivated ketones under mild neutral conditions. Air is essential for this reaction and acts as a terminal oxidant. Metal catalysts, acid or base additives, and stoichiometric amounts of chemical oxidants are all avoided in this methodology. Six examples of intramolecular cyclized products are also delivered.