Copper Triflate–Catalyzed Cross‐Aldol Condensation: A Facile Synthesis of α,α′‐Bis(Substituted Benzylidene) Cycloalkanones

Abstract

A facile, efficient, and clean procedure is described for synthesis of α,α′‐bis(substituted benzylidene) cycloalkanones with good yields by the reaction of cycloalkanones with aromatic aldehydes using Cu(OTf)₂ as catalyst. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused without loss of activity.

Keywords:

• Catalyst
• condensation
• copper triflate
• cross‐aldol
• cycloalkanone

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Basic Research Program (No. 2003CB114402) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20276072) for financial support.