Microwave assisted synthesis of fungicidal compounds using Knoevenagel condensation in dry media

Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, India

E-mail: mkidwai@mantraonline.com Fax: 91-11-7666235

Manuscript received 31 July 2001, revised 3 January 2002, accepted 6 March 2002

An environmentally benign, solventless, rapid and economic technique for the synthesis of substituted quinolines, indoles and aromatic compounds using Knoevenagel condensation is described from readily available aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes and diethyl malonate on solid inorganic support under microwave irradiation (MWI). The method is devoid of the hazards of solution phase reactions. All the compounds are screened for their antifungal activity.