Wet 2,4,6-trichloro[1,3,5]triazine (TCT) an efficient catalyst for synthesis of α,α′-bis(substituted-benzylidene) cycloalkanones under solvent-free conditions

An array of aromatic aldehydes undergo crossed aldol condensation with ketones in the presence of catalytic amounts of wet-TCT under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding alpha,alpha'-bis(substituted-benzylidene) cycloalkanones in excellent yields. Contrary to the existing methods, which use classical Lewis acids a new catalyst (TCT) is employed. This method is also general with respect to all types of aromatic aldehydes and is an eco friendly procedure. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.