A highly regioselective synthesis of b-aryl enaminones and 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles from chalcones and benzyl azides based on reaction solvent selection is reported. In the presence of a catalytic amount of CeA C H T U N G T R E N N U N G (OTf) 3 , reactions of chalcones with benzyl azides in DMF at 100 8C afforded densely substituted Z-b-aryl enaminones in good to excellent yields, whereas treatment of chalcones with benzyl azides in toluene at 100 8C selectively produced 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in excellent yields.
COMMUNICATIONSRegioselective Synthesis of b-Aryl Enaminones Scheme 1. A plausible reaction mechanism.