Knoevenagel condensation of diethylmalonate with aldehydes catalyzed by immobilized bovine serum albumin (BSA)

Knoevenagel condensation between aldehydes and diethylmalonate is catalyzed efficiently by bovine serum albumin (BSA) immobilized covalently on an epoxy-functionalized polymeric support, Immobead IB-350. The reaction is carried out conveniently at room temperature in DMSO in which aliphatic, heterocyclic and aromatic aldehydes react efficiently. After extraction with heptane and treatment with Candida antarctica lipase CAL B, the products are obtained in >95% purity and 85-89% yield. The solvent DMSO, unreacted diethylmalonate and immobilized BSA were easily recovered. Immobilized BSA and recovered DMSO were recycled 5 times without any appreciable loss in yield.