Solid-phase synthesis of arylidene and alkylidene malonates, as versatile intermediates, catalyzed using mesoporous poly-melamine–formaldehyde as a nitrogen-rich porous organic polymer (POP)

Abstract

An efficient solid/slurry-state synthesis of arylidene and alkylidene malonates as versatile intermediates is developed in the presence of mesoporous poly-melamine–formaldehyde. The condensation reaction was conducted through a ball milling process as a non-conventional procedure and a greener methodology at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. The mesoporous heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered and reused ten times, and the results showed a negligible loss of catalytic activity. Various aryl- and heteroarylidene malonates, as well as dimethyl (cyclohexylidene)malonate, were isolated in good to high yields under optimal conditions. The use of hazardous reagents and solvents were minimized in the current method, and separation of catalyst and products, as well as the recovery and reusing of catalyst, were performed by cost-effective procedures. This work revealed that the synergistic effect of numerous Lewis base sites together with acceptor-donner hydrogen bonding functional groups in porous organic polymer (POP), and its high porosity plays a vital role to promote the carbon–carbon coupling reaction in the solid phase synthesis.