Synthesis of flavanones by use of anhydrous potassium carbonate as an inexpensive, safe, and efficient basic catalyst

Anhydrous potassium carbonate has been utilized as an inexpensive, safe, and efficient basic catalyst for the synthesis of flavanones starting either from 2′-hydroxychalcones or from 2′-hydroxyacetophenones. In both the cases the favored reaction condition was either refluxing in a solvent with added catalyst or microwave irradiation on the catalyst.