A convenient synthesis of 2,5-diaroyl-4-hydroxy cyclopent-2-enones incorporating aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties

The base-catalyzed reaction of 1,5-diphenyl-pentane-1,3,5-trione with aromatic/heteroaromatic 1,2-diones leading to the synthesis of 2,5-diaroyl-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enones and its conversion to 2,5-diaroylcyclopentadienones is reported here. 2,5-Dibenzoyl-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone and 2,5-dithenoyl-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone are valuable compounds which act as chemosensors for selective detection of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively.