Abstract:

This article focuses on the synthesis of cinnamic acid. Retrosynthetic analysis and synthetic design have shown that the construction of cinnamic acid can be achieved by several protocols, including the aqueous Heck reaction, the solvent-free Perkin reaction, the aqueous Wittig reaction and the aqueous Knoevenagel reaction. These protocols extend the synthetic design thinking of students. These experiments cover the synthesis, purification and characterization of cinnamic acid, helping students understand and complete a basis scientific research process; thus, students' comprehensive ability is improved.

Key words: Heck reaction, Perkin reaction, Wittig reaction, Knoevenagel reaction, Cinnamic acid, Designing experiment, Retrosynthesis analysis