Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of flavones by oxidative cyclization of 2′-hydroxychalcones using iodine monochloride

•Synthesis of flavones under ultrasound irradiation in the presence of DMSO.•Iodine monochloride.•Several flavones were synthesized in high yields in a short time and at low temperatures reaction.

This paper presents an efficient methodology for the synthesis of flavones via the oxidative cyclization of 2′-hydroxychalcones in the presence of iodine monochloride with DMSO under ultrasound irradiation. Ultrasonic irradiation enhances the cyclization reaction and leads to reduced reaction time at lower reaction temperatures while generating flavones with high yields.