An efficient synthesis of 2-aryl-1,4-diketones via hydroacylation of enones

An improved method has been developed for the hydroacylation of enones with aldehydes employing bis-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-thiazolium bromide/Et3N system to afford the corresponding 1,4-diketones in good yields. This method is effective for the preparation of 1,4-diketones from both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes.