Applications of the baylis-hillman adducts in organic synthesis: A facile synthesis of [E]-α-cyanocinnamyl alcohols and [E]-α-cyanocinnamic aldehydes

Abstract

Aqueous sulfuric acid mediated transformation of the Baylis-Hillman adducts, i.e. 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-methylenepropanenitriles, into [E]-α- cyanocinnamyl alcohols and subsequent oxidation with PCC leading to the formation of stereochemically pure [E]-α-cyanocinnamic aldehydes, which represents an efficient alternative route to the Knoevenagel condensation reaction, is described.