Abstract: N,N-Dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine(DPA) is a useful catalyst for Knoevenagel reaction.2-(4-Nitrophenyl sulfonyl)-cinnamonitriles(3a～k) were obtained by condensation of 4-nitrophenylsulfonylacetonitrile(1) with aromatic aldehydes(2a～k) in the presence of DPA.The yields ranged from 83%～98%.However,the condensation between 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-nitrophenylsulfonyl-acetonitril gave a six-memberod lactone(31).The structure of compounds 3a～1 was confirmed by elemental analysis,IR,¹H NMR and MS.

Key words: dimethylpropanediamine(DPA), catalysis, nitrophenylsulfonylacetonitrile, Knoevenagel reaction