Convenient access to 1,3,5-triaroylbenzenes

The unusual transformation of beta-aryl-beta-haloacroleins into valuable triaroylbenzenes is reported by the first time. The convenient sequence takes advantage on the one step access to triaroylbenzenes. This work establishes that the presence of airline is required for the trimerization procedure since it is involved in the formation Of iminium-enamine intermediate A. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.