Synthesis of [alpha],[beta]-Unsaturated Ketones as Chalcone Analogues via a SRN1 Mechanism

An electron-transfer chain reaction between 2-nitropropane anion and α-bromoketones derived from nitrobenzene and nitrothiophene was demonstrated by mechanistic study and a specific convenient synthetic protocol. Thus, 2-bromo-1-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)ethanone or 2-bromo-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanone were reacted with several cyclic nitronate anions to form α,β-unsaturated ketones via a SRN1 mechanism. This new method can be used to synthesize a wide variety of chalcone analogues.