AbstractThe Knoevenagel condensation between aldehydes and substrates with active methylene groups was applied to synthesise a series of 3-(4-substituted phenyl)-2-arylacrylonitriles (aryl = phenyl or pyridyl). Chloro-, fluoro-, or dimethylamino-substituted aryls and a cyano group attached to the double bond of acrylonitrile were studied. Previous studies showed that the condensation products were E isomers. The compounds synthesised were: 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-phenylacrylonitrile, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-3-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-phenylacrylonitrile, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-3-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-phenylacrylonitrile, 3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(pyridin-3-yl)acrylonitrile, and 3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)acrylonitrile. Structures were confirmed by IR, MS, and NMR spectral data. Molar absorption coefficient, absorbance, and fluorescence emission spectra were compared in order to evaluate the effects of substituents on phenyl and the position of nitrogen in pyridine moiety on the electronic properties of acrylonitrile derivatives prepared.
