The development of catalysts for the formation of carbon–nitrogen bonds by simple addition of amines to double bonds is a focus of increasing interest. 1 The aza-Michael reaction provides an easy and direct route to β-amino esters. 2 In general, this type of conjugated addition reaction of nucleophiles to unsaturated carbonyl compounds requires basic conditions or acidic catalysts. 3 In order to overcome some of these limitations, a number of alternative ...
