The acid-catalyzed reaction of an enolizable aldehyde or an enolizable ketone with an imminium ion, usually generated in situ by the reaction of formaldehyde with a secondary amine, followed by a base...The acid-catalyzed reaction of an enolizable aldehyde or an enolizable ketone with an imminium ion, usually generated in situ by the reaction of formaldehyde with a secondary amine, followed by a base to give a β-aminoaldehyde of a β-aminoketone, respectively, is known as the Mannich reaction. The product of the Mannich reaction is called the Mannich base.
