Ultrasound promoted the synthesis of N-propargylic β-enaminones.

The synthesis of 14 novel N-propargylic β-enaminones from the reaction of β-alkoxy vinyltrihalomethyl[carboxyethyl] ketones [R(3)C(O)CHC(R(1))OMe, where R(3)=CF(3), CCl(3), CO(2)Et and R(1)=Me, Et, Pr, Bu, i-Pent, CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Me] with propargyl amines [R(2)NHCH(2)CCH, where R(2)=Pr, PhCH(2)] is reported. Yields, solvents and reaction times needed for reaction completion, by microwave irradiation (MW), conventional thermal heating (TH) and under ultrasound irradiation (US) are compared. The best results were obtained under US irradiation in good to excellent yields (70-93%).