Ethylenediamine: A Highly Effective Catalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of Aryl Nitroalkenes via Henry Reaction and Dehydration

Ethylenediamine (H2NCH2CH2NH2) was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the condensation of aryl aldehydes with nitromethane (or nitroethane). When 1%–2% (mol%) of ethylenediamine was used as the catalyst, the one-pot reaction of aryl aldehydes with nitromethane (or nitroethane) by refluxing for 3–10 h efficiently afforded various arylnitroalkenes 1a–1y in 85%–97% yields.