An experiment is presented that has the student execute a Knoevenagel initiated annulation reaction. The reaction can be carried out either through use of a microwave reactor or by allowing the mixture to stand at room temperature for two days. The student is then challenged to identify the reaction product through a guided prelab exercise of the synthesis of the Hagemann ester, and then through GC-MS, NMR, and IR spectra of the product. The stereochemistry of the product is determined through the NMR spectrum and the Karplus curve. The student is required to write a mechanism for the reaction. (Contains 2 figures.)