Since the early studies of Mannich, Mannich reaction has become an important tool for the synthesis of new compounds. Mannich bases can be either directly employed or used as intermediates. In this work, the one-carbon unit transfer reaction of tetrahydrofolate coenzyme was initiated. 1,3-Dimethylimidazolidine as a new tetrahydrofolate coenzyme model at formaldehyde oxidation level was used to react with ketone having active hydrogen atoms and amine to give the corresponding Mannich base in good yield by a covert Mannich reaction. A novel method for biomimetic synthesis of various Mannich bases is provided.
