Solvent-Free Knoevenagel Condensation over Cobalt Hydroxyapatite

The Knoevenagel condensation between various aldehydes (benzaldehyde, 1-naphthaldehyde, p-bromobenzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde) and esters (ethylcyanoacetate, ethylacetoacetate and diethylmalonoester) was carried out under solvent free condition in the presence of cobalt hydroxyapatite (CoHAp), as a catalyst. Good to excellent yields (35–96%) were obtained. The catalyst is found to be superior over fluorapatite and several other heterogeneous catalysts. The catalyst can be recycled at least 3 times.