Ferric sulphate solid acid catalyst for cyclization of 2’-hydroxychalcone to flavanone under microwave condition

Ferric sulphate was found to be an efficient solid Lewis acid for conversion of 2’-hydroxychalcone to flavanone under microwave condition. Using this condition we prepared various substituted flavanone with electron donating and electron withdrawing gropus present at 2’, 3’, and 4’ positions on the benzene ring. This method has various merits compared to other reported methods, including short reaction time, high yield; avoid use of hazardous organic solvent, and inexpensive and easily available catalyst.