Knoevenagel reaction

The Knoevenagel reaction is an aldol-type condensation that occurs between an aldehyde or ketone and a compound with an active methylene group, such as esters of malonic acid or cyanoacetic acid. This reaction is catalyzed by amines. In organic chemistry, this reaction is important because it involves the addition of a carbon nucleophile to an aldehyde. The process typically involves acidification followed by the loss of a water molecule, resulting in an α,β-unsaturated ester. The reaction is named after German chemist Emil Knoevenagel.12