Solvent-free Stobbe condensation of furfural1with dimethyl succinate2under anhydrous conditions at room temperature using dry-solid potassium tertiary butoxide gave 3-carbomethoxy, 4-furyl-3-butenoic acid3, which upon methylation followed by Stobbe condensation reaction with different aldehydes and/or ketones under anhydrous conditions at room temperature afforded substituted carbomethoxy acids5a–f. These acid ester products were saponified to the corresponding dicarboxylic acids6a–fwhich are useful in the synthesis of photochromic fulgides.

Aldehydes are smoothly converted into the corresponding 1,1-diacetates (acylals) in high yields in the presence of a catalytic amount (0.1 mol-%) of iron(III) fluoride at room temperature. The noteworthy features of the present system are shorter reaction times, chemoselective protection of aldehydes, and solvent-free conditions. The procedure is especially useful for large-scale syntheses as the catalyst is highly effective from the view of activity, selectivity, reusability, and economy in the preparation of 1,1-diacetates (acylals).

With the advent of nanotechnology, methods of synthesis have attained immense importance since it governs particle size of the materials. In this paper, we report synthesis of CaZrO 3 by simple and energy efficient method that produced ultra fine powder having particle size in the nanometers. Synthesis of CaZrO 3 was carried out using corresponding metal nitrates and mixed fuels i.e., glycine and urea at a temperature less than 500°C. The reaction was highly exothermic in nature. The product obtained was voluminous and foamy. The as synthesized CaZrO 3 is crystalline in nature. It required no further heating. The compound was indexed using standard indexing procedure and the lattice constants matches completely with those reported in the literature. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) results shows that the material is highly stable internally during the whole range of temperature studied i.e., up to 1000°C. The powder density of the material was calculated to be 5.6393 g cm -1. BET surface area was found to be 11.505 m 2/ g . The particle size was calculated using density and BET surface area values. The particle size of the as synthesized CaZrO 3 was found to be 92 nm. The product was further characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope and electrical conductivity.

Iron(III) Fluoride as a Novel Catalyst. -FeF 3 is a highly efficient and practical catalyst for a broad spectrum of aldehyde substrates. The solvent-free conditions make the method environmentally friendly and useful for industrial application. -(KAMBLE*, V. T.; TAYADE, R. A.; DAVANE, B. S.; KADAM, K. R.; Aust.