An efficient synthesis of (Z)-α-fluorochalcones via the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of (Z)-α-fluorocinnamoyl chloride with boronic acids

An efficient synthesis of α-fluorochalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-fluoroprop-2-en-1-one) based on the Suzuki–Miyaura palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with α-fluorocinnamoyl chlorides in the presence of Cs2CO3 in toluene is described. This approach allows the synthesis of fluorinated analogues of functionalized natural chalcones.