Electrogenerated base : A green protocol for synthesis of arylidene malononitrile

Electrochemical Laboratory of Green Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad,

Allahabad-211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India

E-mail : rkp.singh@rediffmail.com

Manuscript received 27 October 2010, revised 19 March 2011, accepted 26 May 2011

A simple electrochemical synthesis of arylidene malononitrile from different aldehydes are studied and discussed here. A controlled potential electrolysis was carried out in undivided cell in the presence of acetonitrile as a solvent and lithium perchlorate as a supporting electrolyte. Electrogenerated base of malononitrile reacts with aldehyde substrate to give the corresponding product in excellent yield. This synthesis avoids addition of base as a catalyst and other toxic chemicals. Thus the method is environmentally benign and a contribution in the field of green chemistry.