[coffeely]

I intend to synthesis diethyl bis(aminomethyl)malonate.
The substrates are diethyl malonate, formaldehyde, ammonia.
They can undergo mannich reaction in theory, but how it work in fact?
Please give me some suggestions, thanks.

[lusich]

well, I don;t know how to draw in the text box here, but if you go to
http://www.organic-chemistry.org/frames.htm?http://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/
 and click on Mannich reaction, they give you a nice mechanism.

Your ubstrates work pretty much the same way,

Hope this helps.

[coffeely]

thank you. I read some reviews about mannich reaction and did view the website of organic synthesis about the name reaction.
But i still need some advices
Ammonia is a problem, maybe.

[movies]

Ammonium acetate is a good substitute for ammonia in this case.  It has the advantage of an equivalent of acid, which can catalyze the formation of the iminium ion.  It's also a lot easier to handle!

[firassh2000]

I can help u but u should tell me about the media of the reaction acidic or basic