Unmodified Nano‐Powder Magnetite Catalyzes a Four‐ Component Aza‐Sakurai Reaction

A new catalyst for an old material: magnetite is an excellent Lewis acid catalyst for the four‐component aza‐Sakurai reaction. The process could be repeated up to 15‐times without losing effectiveness, with the catalyst recycling being as easy as the use of a simple magnet. The catalyst is selective and could discriminate between aldehyde and ketone functionalities, catalyzing first the reaction with the higher electrophilic aldehyde.