Green synthesis of biologically active chalcones by Claisen-Schmidt condensation under mild conditions

Abstract

Trans-chalcones are a family of aromatic ketones with two aromatic groups bridged by an enone linkage (Ar–COCH= CH–Ar’) [1]. Chalcones that derived from nature exist mostly as colors of petal and furthermore have been established in the heartwood, leaf, bark, fruit, and root of a range of plants and botanicals [2]. Plants containing chalcones, for instance, the Glycyrrhiza, Piper, Angelica, and Ruscus genus, have long been utilized as therapeutic remedies [2-4]. Several studies evaluated the biological activity of naturally occurring and synthetic chalcones and revealed them to be antimalarial [5,6], anti-cancer [7], anti-leishmanial [8], anti-inflammatory [9], antimitotic [10], antituberculosis [11], cardiovascular [12] and cell differentiation inducing [13]. In recent years, the green routes, in particular the solvent free synthesis of chalcones, have been gained special attention. The solvent free reactions avoid organic solvents leads to a clean, efficient and economical technology. It has many advantages such as high efficiency and selectivity, easy separation and purification, mild reaction conditions and environmental acceptability. Recently, the combination of the solvent-free condition and the use of heterogeneous catalysts have emerged as an eco-friendly alternative of great importance due to simplification of work up technique [14].