Synthesis and characterization of some chalcones and their cyclohexenone derivatives

A series of chalcones and their derivatives have been synthesized. Chalcones, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(aryl)-prop-2-en-1-ones were prepared by the aldol condensation of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)ethanones and aryl aldehydes. Based-catalyzed condensation of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(aryl)prop-2-en-1-ones with ethyl acetoacetate yields corresponding ethyl 4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-6-(aryl)-2-oxocyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylates. Some of the synthesized chalcones were reported in the literature; the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray studies, IR, 1 H-NMR and LCMS mass spectral analysis.