Ultrasound Assisted Facile Synthesis of 2-Benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-ones

Abstract

2-Benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-ones commonly known as aurones, are an important class of oxygen heterocyclic compounds of flavonoid family. They exhibit some biological activities such as antioxidant, antifungal, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory, antiparasitic and antileishmanial activities. They are also responsible for imparting yellow color to the flowers and fruits. Owing to their varied importance, a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-ones involving the reaction of 1-(2'-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-phenyl-propenones with copper acetate in ethanol under ultrasonic irradiation conditions has been described. The present method offers a faster reaction and a higher yield than conventional methods.