Mannich reaction

In organic chemistry, the Mannich reaction is a three-component organic reaction that involves the amino alkylation of the α-position of a ketone or aldehyde with an aldehyde and a nullary, primary, or secondary amine (−NH₂). The final product is a β-amino-carbonyl compound also known as a Mannich base. The reaction is named after Carl Mannich.

The Mannich reaction starts with the nucleophilic addition of an amine to a carbonyl group followed by dehydration to the Schiff base. The Schiff base is an electrophile which reacts in a second step in an electrophilic addition with an enol formed from a carbonyl compound containing an acidic α-proton. The Mannich reaction is a condensation reaction.