Nickel nanoparticles catalyzed chemoselective Knoevenagel condensation of Meldrum’s acid and tandem enol lactonizations via cascade cyclization sequence

A novel protocol has been reported wherein, polyethylene glycol (PEG) stabilized nickel nanoparticles have been used as catalyst for chemoselective Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes and Meldrum’s acid to give 5-arylidene Meldrum’s acid which underwent tandem enol lactonization by Michael addition/cyclization sequence with active methylene compounds in the presence of Ni nanoparticles to give corresponding enol lactone derivatives.