Iron(III) mediated coupling of arylmagnesium halides with other aryl halides produced both homo-and cross-coupled products. The reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with 1,4-dibromobenzene as well as with 4-chlorobromobenzene in presence of FeCl 3 catalyst produced both cross-coupled p-terphenyl and homo-coupled biphenyl. Under the same condition only homo-coupled 4,4′-dipropoxybiphenyl was obtained from 4-propoxyphenylmagnesium bromide. The coupling of 4-bromophenylmagnesium bromide with bromobenzene produced both homo-and cross-coupled biaryls.

Rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of substituted olefins such as 2-(4-chlorophenylmethylene) malononitrile, 2-(4-hydroxyphenylmethylene) malononitrile and 2-cyano-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylamide etc under the influence of microwave irradiation are described. Urea has been utilized as an efficient catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of aldehydes with acidic active methylene compounds such as malononitrile, ethylcyanoacetate and cyanoacetamide to afford substituted olefins under the influence of microwave irradiation. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild and solvent free conditions and the products are obtained in good yield. The method is applicable for a wide range of aldehydes including aromatic and heterocyclic substrates. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.55(2), 159-164, 2020