Herein, a specialized review of the origin and state of the art of proline-derived long-aliphatic-chain amphiphilic organocatalysts (PDLACAOs) and their use in asymmetric organic reactions in aqueous media (water, brine, and sea water), including in water and in the presence of water, is presented. The reactions in which they have been evaluated and the most important mechanisms are discussed. Scheme 24. Michael addition reaction of dicyanoolefins 57 to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes 48 in-brine using catalyst 46 g, by Loh. Scheme 25. Michael addition reaction in brine using catalysts 59 a-c, by Ni and Headley. Scheme 26. Cross-aldol reaction using catalyst 59 c in the presence of ionic liquid system 64 in brine, by Ni and Headley.

In this article, a one‐pot methodology for the synthesis of flavanones “on‐water” from simple starting materials is reported. The reaction proceeds in basic media (KOH), at room‐temperature and in distilled water, during a period of 48 h with up to 96 % yields. In addition, most flavanones are obtained pure enough after a simple filtration procedure.

A simple and efficient one-pot, three-component synthetic method for the preparation of coumarin-3-carboxamides was carried out by the reaction of salicylaldehyde, aliphatic primary/secondary amines, and diethylmalonate. The protocol employs piperidine-iodine as a dual system catalyst and ethanol, a green solvent. The main advantages of this approach are that it is a metal-free and clean reaction, has low catalyst loading, and requires no tedious workup.