Direct One-Pot Synthesis of 2,3-Diarylbuta-1,3-diene via Self-Coupling of Acetophenones

A mild and straightforward route to 2,3-diarylbuta-1,3-diene is described here. By treatment with SmI 2 -Ac 2 O, acetophenone and its analogues underwent self-coupling reactions and subsequent elimination to give a series of 2,3-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes in moderate to good yields.