Facile Synthesis of Ferrocenylchalcone Promoted by Ionic Liquid or Phase-Transfer Catalyst

The Claisen-Schmidt condensation of acetylferrocene with arylaldehydes in the presence of ionic liquids (ILs) or phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs) provided the corresponding ferrocenylchalcones in high yields, and PTCs can promote the condensation reaction better than those of ILs. Optimum conditions were as follows: molar ratio of acetylferrocene, arylaldehyde, n-Bu4NPF6 and NaOH is 1∶1∶2.5∶0.75, and the appropriate reaction temperature is 35 °C in anhydrous EtOH.