A convenient preparation of 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propynylamines and their Lewis acid catalyzed reaction with carbonyl compounds leading to (Z)-α-(trifluoromethyl)-α,β-unsaturated amides

N,N-Dialkyl(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propynyl)amines were readily prepared by a three-step procedure starting from commercially available 2,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropanol. These fluorinated alkynylamines reacted smoothly with a variety of aldehydes or ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of Lewis acid and;molecular sieves 4 Angstrom at ambient temperature to produce the corresponding alpha-(trifluoromethyl)-alpha,beta -unsaturated amides in good to excellent yields with high Z-stereoselectivity.