ON THE CHEMISTRY OF ALPHA-FORMYL-2-HYDROXYACETOPHENONE

The title compound 1 undergoes cyclization and self-condensation in th e presence of dil. NaOH yielding chromone (2) and/or 1-(3-chromonyl)-2 -(2-hydroxybenzoyl)ethene (3). With benzaldehyde in the presence of pi peridine in boiling ethanol, 1 reacts both by cyclization, and self-co ndensation combined with cyclization to give 2, 3 and bis(3-chromonylp henyl)methane (5). If less than 0.1 M aq. NaOH is used 1 and benzaldeh yde produces 3-(alpha-hydroxybenzoyl)chromone (4) which can also be co nverted into 5.