Synthesis of β-Alkyl 2-Hydroxychalcones by Rhodium-Catalyzed Coupling of N-Phenoxyacetamides and Nonterminal Propargyl Alcohols.

An efficient rhodium-catalyzed coupling of N-phenoxyacetamides and nonterminal propargyl alcohols has been developed. A series of β-Alkyl 2-hydroxychalcones bearing diverse functional groups were obtained with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity, and the desired chalcones could then be converted to triazole and chromene smoothly.