The use of DMAP as catalyst in the Baylis-Hillman reaction between methyl acrylate and aromatic aldehydes

We found an efficient methodology for the Baylis-Hillman reaction of p-nitrobenzaldehyde (1), naphtaldehyde (4a), and pyperonal (4b) with methyl acrylate by using 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as a catalyst, without solvent, additives, or any sophisticated equipment. A very important temperature effect was observed.