Reaction between isocyanides and chalcones: an efficient solvent-free synthesis of 5-hydroxy-3,5-diaryl-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones

A simple and efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxy-3,5-diaryl-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones is described. Heating a mixture of an isocyanide and a 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-one under solvent-free conditions produces the title compounds in good to excellent yields.