Vigorously stirred La 2 O 3 suspensions for Michael additions in water.

This work demonstrates the effectiveness of vigorously stirred lanthanum oxide (La 2 O 3 ) suspensions in catalyzing Michael additions in water. These surfactant-free suspensions offer a counterintuitive yet highly efficient approach compared to traditional methods. Notably, the reactions are ineffective in the absence of water, suggesting a crucial role for the aqueous environment.