CBr4 catalyzed activation of ?,?-unsaturated ketones

Abstract

We have shown here that weak interactions such as halogen bonding (XB) can be used to activate the carbonyl group of ?,?-unsaturated ketones. Carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) has been used as the sole reagent for the selective synthesis of flavanones and aza-flavanones from the corresponding 2?-hydroxy- and 2?-aminochalcones under metal-free and additive-free conditions. DFT calculations support the catalytic role of XB between the oxygen of chalcones and CBr4 in these reactions. � 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry.