Sodium-Modified Fluorapatite: A Mild and Efficient Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of α,α’-Bis(Substituted Benzylidene) Cycloalkanones under Conventional Heating and Microwave Irradiation

A versatile and environmentally friendly method for α,α’-bis(substituted ben-zylidene) cycloalkanones has been developed using a heterogeneous catalysis technology. We have synthesized a series of the α,α’-bis(substituted benzylidene) cycloalkanones, a biologically important class of compounds, via the cross aldol condensation between arylaldehydes and cycloketones using sodium-modified fluorapatite (Na/FAP) as a highly efficient solid catalyst under conventional heating in aqueous media and solventless conditions under microwave. Catalyst reuse, ease of separation of the pure product, and high yields are some of the unique features of this process. Shorter reaction times (4 - 7 min) and higher yields (80% - 94%) were achieved under microwave irradiation conditions.