Microwave-assisted Knoevenagel condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate with aldehydes in solvent-free condition

Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata-700 009, India

E-mail : akmitra@cucc.ernet.in                       Fax : 91-33-23519755

Manuscript received 16 September 2002, revised 1 April 2003, accepted 5 May 2003

Piperazine has been used successfully as a catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate and aromatic aldehydes along with the rate enhancement by microwave irradiation under solvent-free condition.