Simple and efficient synthesis of 2-styryl-4H-chromone-4-one derivatives by modification of the Baker-Venkataraman method

The efficient and facile protocol was developed for the synthesis of a series of 2- styryl-4H-chromen-4-one 3a-i derivatives. The condensation of substituted 2- hydroxyacetophenone with cinnamic acid led to obtaining (E)-2- acetylphenylcinnamate 2a-i derivatives, which on treatment with base leads to target 3a-i derivatives. A wide range of functional groups were tolerated in the developed protocol. The target molecules were obtained in good to excellent yield applying the current method. All target compounds are characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectral dat