Highly active g-C₃N₄ as a solid base catalyst for knoevenagel condensation reaction under phase transfer conditions

In a promising approach, heterogeneous g-C₃N₄ as a solid base catalyst exhibits appreciable activity in Knoevenagel condensations at room temperature for the synthesis of substituted stilbene in presence of a crown-ether phase transfer catalyst. High yield of the product substituted stilbene were isolated in a very short reaction time period (∼30 min). The solid base g-C₃N₄ catalyst was proven to be recyclable for several runs. Various aromatic substrates were screened using heterogeneous base g-C₃N₄ catalyst, exhibiting appreciable corresponding product yield (∼99%) at room temperature.