Microwave-Assisted synthesis under solvent-free conditions of (E)-2-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-arylacrylonitriles

Abstract

A series of (E)-2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-arylacrylonitriles was synthesized by microwave assisted Knoevenagel condensation under solvent-free conditions from the corresponding 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)acetonitrile and aromatic aldehydes with electrondonating/electron-withdrawing groups. The reaction times were considerably short and the products obtained in moderate yields (50 to 75%) and good purity. The configuration of the acrylonitrile double bond could not be established by regular NMR methods. However, theoretical studies suggest that the E isomer is more stable than Z, which is in good agreement with some experimental evidences. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.