Green chemistry approaches to the Knoevenagel condensation: comparison of ethanol, water and solvent free (dry grind) approaches

We report a comparative study of the Knoevenagel condensation with a variety of substituted benzaldehydes (17 examples) and cyanoamides (3 examples), using three different methodologies: (a) traditional ethanol reflux; (b) water reflux; and (c) solvent free conditions. Almost without exception these reactions proceeded faster, more cleanly and in higher yields when the reactions were conducted in a solvent-free fashion. Additionally, our solvent free approach allowed the use of nitrobenzaldehydes, which failed to yield the desired products under traditional and water based approaches.