L-Arginine as a cost-effective and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and ketones in an ionic liquid.

L-Arginine catalysed the Knoevenagel condensations of aromatic, heteroaromatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with malononitrile and acetylacetone to afford α,β-unsaturated nitriles and ketones. The reactions were carried out at room temperature in the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate. Moderate to excellent yields (45-100%) were achieved. The L-arginine/ionic liquid combination was successfully recycled for five runs without signifi cant loss of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]