Highly active g-C3N4 as a solid base catalyst for knoevenagel condensation reaction under phase transfer conditions

In a promising approach, heterogeneous g-C3N4 as a solid base catalyst exhibits appreciable activity in Knoevenagel condensations at room temperature for the synthesis of substituted stilbene in presence of a crown-ether phase transfer catalyst. High yield of the product substituted stilbene were isolated in a very short reaction time period (similar to 30 min). The solid base g-C3N4 catalyst was proven to be recyclable for several runs. Various aromatic substrates were screened using heterogeneous base g-C3N4 catalyst, exhibiting appreciable corresponding product yield (similar to 99%) at room temperature.