Solvent-free condensation of arylacetonitrile with aldehydes

The condensation of a series of arylacetonitriles with aldehydes can be carried out by mixing equivalent amounts of reagents with neat powdered KOH at room temperature for 3–60 min depending on the aldehyde steric hindrance. At higher temperature (110 °C), yields were generally higher and purity increased within very short reaction times (1–5 min). With pentamethylphenylacetonitrile, a phase transfer agent was necessary to give a satisfactory yield.