Environmentally friendly and efficient process for the preparation of beta-hydroxyl ketones

An environmentally benign and efficient process for the preparation of beta-hydroxyl ketones was developed by the practical cross-aldol reactions of 2-acetylpyridine, acetophenone, and cyclohexanone with 4-nitro-, 3-nitro-, and 2-nitrobenzaldehydes in water catalyzed by Na2CO3 in very high yields.