A Simple, Efficient and Green Procedure for Knoevenagel Condensation in Water or under Solvent‐free Conditions

Abstract 1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane was used as an efficient catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of various kinds of aromatic/aliphatic/heterocyclic/αβ‐unsaturated aldehydes and ketones with active methylene compounds. This is a convenient and rapid method for Knoevenagel condensation, which affords the corresponding substituted electrophilic alkenes in excellent yields. The reaction condition is mild and the method is operationally simple. The products, only E‐isomers were detected, did not need to be purified. The use of water as the reaction medium makes the process environmentally benign. The catalysts can be recycled six times without activity loss.