Potassium base-catalyzed redox isomerization of propargylic alcohols to chalcones

Chalcone derivatives are frequently found in bioactive compounds, natural products, and pharmaceuticals. In this study, we developed a KOtBu/DMF catalytic system to efficiently synthesize chalcone by isomerizing propargylic alcohols bearing aryl substituents at the 1- 3-positions. Mechanistic investigations confirmed that 1,3-hydride shift was key process for successful reaction. Our method does not involve use of transition metals possesses economic environmental benefits.