Catalyst Free Knoevenagel Condensation of Benzaldehyde Derivatives with Malononitrile: A Facile and Compatible Method with Green Chemistry Rules for the Synthesis of Dicyano Compounds

In this study, as a result of the reaction of aryl aldehydes with malononitrile in a catalyst-free condition by using only water/methanol mixture as a solvent, the corresponding benzylidenemalononitrile derivatives were obtained in quantitative yields at room temperature just in 15 minutes. Although many methods have been found in the literature about Knoevenagel Condensation, addressed herein a catalyst free methodology which is in harmony with the green chemistry rules makes this work effective than the others