Wet 2,4,6-trichloro[1,3,5]triazine (TCT) an efficient catalyst for synthesis of -bis(substituted-benzylidene) cycloalkanones under solvent-free conditions

An array of aromatic aldehydes undergo crossed aldol condensation with ketones in the presence of catalytic amounts of wet-TCT under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding α,α^′-bis(substituted-benzylidene) cycloalkanones in excellent yields. Contrary to the existing methods, which use classical Lewis acids a new catalyst (TCT) is employed. This method is also general with respect to all types of aromatic aldehydes and is an eco friendly procedure.