Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of 3-Styrylchromones in Alkaline Ionic Liquid

A simple, highly efficient and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of 3-styrylchromones from 3-formylchromones and 4-nitrophenylacetic acid/4-nitrotolune in the presence of catalytic amount of basic ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide [(bmim)OH] carried out under the influence of microwave irradiation. This method gives remarkable advantages such as, short reaction times, simple work-up procedure and moderate to good yields. The ionic liquid was successfully reused for four cycles without significant loss of activity.