Isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction (IMCR) of 1,3-diaminopropane with carbonyl compounds has been developed as an efficient strategy for the synthesis of 1,4-diazepine-2-amines. Bronsted and Lewis acids are able to promote the reaction, and TMSCl has been found to be the most efficient among them. The IMCR is applicable to a variety of carbonyl compounds and isocyanides. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.