Efficient Synthesis of Deoxybenzoins from Chalcones

Abstract

Abstract β‐Ketoaldehydes derived from chalcone epoxides by Lewis acid–catalyzed rearrangement underwent smooth deformylation when refluxed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the presence of ethylenediamine, affording deoxybenzoins in excellent yields. The method is general and useful for the preparation of deoxybenzoins with a variety of substitution patterns.