Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of curcumin by condensation of vanillin and acetyl acetone in the presence of trialkyl borate without using boric anhydride and without incorporating the additional water scavenger. This invention further describes an efficient process, wherein trialkyl borate can be prepared in-situ and the so-formed trialkyl borate apart from providing the boron complex could also able to act as water scavenger.
