L-Histidine and L-arginine promote Knoevenagel reaction in water

Abstract

Histidine and arginine were applied to the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes through a condensation of an aldehyde with an activated CH-acid such as ethyl cyanoacetate, malononitrile, acetyl acetone or ethyl ace-toacetate during 5-12 h in water at room temperature. © Springer-Verlag 2010.