A series of (E)-2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-arylacrylonitriles was synthesized by microwave assisted Knoevenagel condensation under solvent-free conditions from the corresponding 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)acetonitrile and aromatic aldehydes with electrondonating/electron-withdrawing groups. The reaction times were considerably short and the products obtained in moderate yields (50 to 75%) and good purity. The configuration of the acrylonitrile double bond could not be established by regular NMR methods. However, theoretical studies suggest that the E isomer is more stable than Z, which is in good agreement with some experimental evidences.
acrylonitriles; 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)acetonitrile; solvent-free reaction; irradiation microwave; Knoevenagel condensation; benzaldehydes
