Abstract
A straightforward method for the synthesis of alkylidene/arylidene malonates and arylidene cyanoacetates, utilizing proline as an alternative to traditional catalysts is presented. A large number of unsaturated esters was obtained from the Knoevenagel reaction under very mild conditions and utilizing cheap reagents.
Acknowledgment
We thank MURST (Cofin 2000, FIRB project, and 60%) and the University of Bologna (funds for selected topics) for financial support.