Application of bio-based green heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of arylidinemalononitriles

Calcined burnt peel ash (CBPA) obtained from Musa balbisiana Colla peels has been developed as an eco-friendly, reusable and cost effective heterogeneous base catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The efficacy of the catalyst was investigated for the first time towards Knoevenagel condensation of aryl/hetero-aryl aldehydes with malononitrile. CBPA showed excellent selectivity towards benzylidenemalononitrile derivatives formation under optimized reaction conditions. The products were obtained in excellent yield in shorter time period and reusability test demonstrated that the catalyst is highly efficient for six consecutive runs.