Abstract
While cinnamoyl acetone 1 is obtained in good yield by a condensation of 3 molar excess of a borate complex of acetylacetone with benzaldehyde, products of Knoevenagel condensation 2 are predominantly obtained with furfural and 5-substituted furfurals. Cinnamoyl acetone 1 can be further condensed with furfural to form unsymmetrical curcuminoid 5. Compound 2a does not produce any new products under the same conditions. Compounds 3 and 5 are good inhibitors of growth of protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
![](/cms/asset/b68f3f71-ccc2-4852-86f7-b2e8a8ead5dc/lsyc_a_850094_o_uf0001.gif)