Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones as chalcone analogues via a S(RN)1 mechanism.

An electron-transfer chain reaction between 2-nitropropane anion and alpha-bromoketones derived from nitrobenzene and nitrothiophene was demonstrated by mechanistic study and a specific convenient synthetic protocol. Thus, 2-bromo-1-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)ethanone or 2-bromo-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanone were reacted with several cyclic nitronate anions to form alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones via a S(RN)1 mechanism. This new method can be used to synthesize a wide variety of chalcone analogues.