New Aspects of Knoevenagel Condensation and Michael Addition Reactions on Alkaline Carbonates

Abstract The Knoevenagel condensation of malononitrile with benzaldehyde on K2CO3, Rb2CO3 and Cs2CO3 gave the condensation product benzylidenemalononitrile but the reaction proceeded to the hydrogenated product benzylmalononitrile. Also, the Michael addition of malononitrile to certain double bonds occurs in the presence of K2CO3.