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Reference.org
Perkin reaction
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<p>The Perkin reaction is an <a href="/facts/Organic_reaction/SESmeGWm">organic reaction</a> developed by <a href="/facts/England/U9mE5bGL">English</a> <a href="/facts/Chemist/N09K7Bdm">chemist</a> <a href="/facts/William_Henry_Perkin/fMt97dct">William Henry Perkin</a> in 1868 that is used to make <a href="/facts/Cinnamic_acid/2oBQIQIw">cinnamic acids</a>. It gives an α,β-unsaturated aromatic acid or α-substituted β-aryl acrylic acid by the <a href="/facts/Aldol_condensation/SydoYgEA">aldol condensation</a> of an <a href="/facts/Aromatic/wK0DzRY6">aromatic</a> <a href="/facts/Aldehyde/xSIRkW03">aldehyde</a> and an <a href="/facts/Acid_anhydride/0LvHIgAY">acid anhydride</a>, in the presence of an alkali salt of the acid. The alkali salt acts as a <a href="/facts/Base_(chemistry)/M9wA7qeM">base</a> <a href="/facts/Catalyst/LPBS7TQC">catalyst</a>, and other bases can be used instead. </p> <p>Several reviews have been written. </p>