A novel catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of aldehydes with malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate under solvent free conditions

A novel, efficient and eco-friendly MgO/ZrO2 catalyst is put forward for the Knoevenagel condensation. The as synthesized catalyst MgO/ZrO2 was characterized by elemental analysis, XRD, FTIR, particle size, SEM-EDXS, average pore diameter, BET surface area analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The Knoevenagel condensation of several aldehydes with ethyl cyanoacetate and malononitrile was carried out at 60 degrees C on MgO/ZrO2 catalyst in the absence of solvent. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.