WEB: A green and an efficient catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation under grindstone method

Abstract

A greener, economic and efficient approach for Knoevenagel condensation of substituted aromatic as well as heteroaromatic aldehydes with malononitrile catalyzed by water extract of banana (WEB) under grindstone method at room temperature is described. The total process is advantageous over conventional methods that involve reflux, heating and expensive approaches and also the reaction time is reduced. It is found that the reaction is clean with the separation of the solid product during grinding process and reaction can be carried out without use of organic solvent as well as expensive catalyst. The final product is isolated by simple filtration and characterized by several spectroscopic methods for the confirmation of the products.