In the formation of the first synthetic intermediate, the very effective Verley-Doebner modification of the fundamental Knoevenagel condensation is used. This modification uses malonic acid in place of the conventional ester to promote enolization. In addition, the heterocyclic amine, pyridine, functions as both the base catalyst the solvent. A cocatayst, B-alanine (an amino acid), is also introduced. Mechanistically, the reaction closely resembles the aldol condensation in that in both cases a carbanion is generated by abstraction, by base, of a proton alpha to a carbonyl group to yield a hydrogen-bonded.