The 'Baylis - Hillman reaction' mechanism and applications revisited

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)88227-2

It is shown that reaction of aryl, benzyl, alkyl and functionalised alkyl acrylic esters with benzaldehyde, in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane, strongly depends upon the electronic and steric effects of the ester part. This influence is also observed in condensation of furfuraldehyde. Moreover, for the first time, it is shown that the overall condensation is equilibrated.