Calcium oxide was found to be an efficient solid base catalyst for synthesis of chalcone under microwave condition. We employed this method for the synthesis of various chalcone from various substituted ketone and aldehyde including o-hydroxy ketone and o-amino ketone. The merits of this method are inexpensive and easily available solid base catalyst, shorter reaction time, high yield compared to other reported methods, avoid use of toxic reagents and solvent free condition, and they are applicable to base sensitive functional groups.
Keywords: Aldehyde, calcium oxide, chalcone, ecofriendly, ketone, microwave.