Bismuth(III) Chloride–Mediated, Efficient, Solvent-Free, MWI-Enhanced Doebner Condensation for the Synthesis of (E)-Cinnamic Acids

Abstract

A bismuth(III) chloride–mediated green process for the production of (E)-cinnamic acid derivatives using microwave irradiation under solvent-free conditions is described. The (E)-cinnamic acids are obtained in excellent yields. This protocol is green because it employs an established environmentally benign procedure, microwave irradiation. Solvent vapor pollution is not there because it is solvent free, and bismuth(III) chloride is an established nontoxic catalyst.

Keywords:

• Bismuth(III) chloride
• (E)-cinnamic acids
• MWI
• solvent free

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India, for financial assistance and to the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India, for additional financial support for this research project.

Notes

^a The products were characterized by comparison of their melting points and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR) data with those of authentic samples.

^b Isolated yields after recrystallization.