Studies on the Aqueous Synthesis of Chalcones

In this study, an alternative methodology for the aqueous synthesis of chalcones is presented. This procedure is performed on a green basis at room temperature (25–40 °C) and using KOH. From this method, thirty-seven derivatives were obtained with yields of up to 98%. In addition, many compounds were recovered sufficiently pure by direct filtration and washing with water. The manuscript is accompanied by a study that demonstrates that the yield of the products and the reaction mechanism, which occurs on-water and in-water, are directly affected by the solubility and physical state of the starting materials.