Clean and atom-economic synthesis of α-phenylselenoacrylonitriles and α-phenylseleno-α,β-unsaturated esters by Knoevenagel reaction under solvent-free conditions

A simple, clean and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of alpha-phenylselenoacrylonitriles and alpha-phenylseleno-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters by a one-pot reaction of aldehydes with phenylselenoacetonitrile or ethyl (phenyl seleno) acetate respectively, in the presence of a solid supported catalyst (KF/Al2O3), without any solvent.