(E)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one

Natural products known as chalcones show promise as chemotherapeutic agents for the neglected tropical disease known as leishmaniasis. Our objective is to synthesize new targets of opportunity that may lead to better treatments of this debilitating disease. Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde with 2′-fluoro-4′-methoxyacetophenone using aqueous sodium hydroxide in ethanol yielded the novel compound (E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one. The product was obtained in good yield and purity after recrystallization from ethyl acetate/hexane. With the known antiparasitic properties of halogenated chalcones, this novel compound is suitable for antileishmanial activity study.