Highly Efficient and Green Synthesis of Flavanones and Tetrahydroquinolones.

Highly efficient and green catalytic conversion of 2′-hydroxy and 2′-amino chalcones to flavanones and tetrahydroquinolones is reported herein. 2′-Hydroxy and 2′-amino chalcones can be almost completely converted to flavanones and tetrahydroquinolones in just 2 min in the presence of piperidine and KOH under room temperature. Liquiritigenin is also efficiently synthesized under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]