Metal-free synthesis of cyano acrylates via cyanuric chloride-mediated three-component reactions involving a cascade consists of Knoevenagel condensation/cyano hydration/esterification

Abstract

The synthesis of cyano acrylates has been achieved via an organocatalytic domino Knoevenagel reaction, hydration and esterification under metal-free conditions without using any additional solvent. During the reaction, the in situ produced water from the Knoevenagel condensation promotes the hydration of the cyano group and initiates the subsequent esterification, which makes up a novel, clean and atom economical route towards the synthesis of cyano acrylates.