LAUSR

Naturally occurring p-hydroxycinnamic acids were obtained using an amine-and toxic solvent-free Knoevenagel-type pathway. This method uses not only non-toxic reagents (i.e., L-proline and magnesium oxide as catalyst) and ethanol as green solvent, all reagents and solvent being renewable and accessible at low price. By combinaing a Design of Experiment and a One Variobale At a Time optimization (OVAT), the different reaction parameters optimized in order to favor sinapic acid synthesis over that of the two other possible by-products, the corresponding di-acids and vinyl phenols. This alternative to classical Knoevenagel reaction allowed to substitute traditional pyridine-and piperidine-catalyzed pathway while obtaining each natural p-hydroxycinnamic acids in good conversions and yields (50-85%).