Synthesis of 1-aryl-2,3-diaroyl cyclopropanes from 1,3,5-triaryl-1,5-diketones and their transformation into E,E-1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadienes

Abstract

1-Aryl-2,3-diaroyl cyclopropanes, synthesized by iodine/DBU-mediated cyclization of 1,3,5-triaryl-1,5-diketones, when subjected to reduction followed by treatment with conc. HCl afforded E,E-1,5-diaryl-1,3-butadienes.