Nitrilimine cycloadditions in aqueous media

Nitrilimine cycloadditions onto a variety of alkenyl dipolarophiles were performed for the first time in aqueous media. The observed cycloaddition outcome was markedly dependent on several factors, including the electronic features and the solubility in water of the dipolarophiles, as well as the presence of a cationic surfactant or an organic cosolvent in the reaction mixture.