1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane was used as an efficient catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of various kinds of aromatic/aliphatic/heterocyclic/alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones with active methylene compounds. This is a convenient and rapid method for Knoevenagel condensation, which affords the corresponding substituted electrophilic alkenes in excellent yields. The reaction condition is mild and the method is operationally simple. The products, only E-isomers were detected, did not need to be purified. The use of water as the reaction medium makes the process environmentally benign. The catalysts can be recycled six times without activity loss.

Publication name	JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE CHEMICAL SOCIETY　Volume: 60 　Issue: 3 　Pages: 288-292　 Published: MAR 2013
Author(s)	Yu, Ya-Qin; Wang, Zhong-Liang
Corresponding author	WANG Zhongliang  1. Tianjin Normal Univ, Tianjin Key Lab Water Resources & Environm, Tianjin 300387, Peoples R China  2. Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Geochem, State Key Lab Environm Geochem, Guiyang 550002, Peoples R China

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