Reaction of N-heterocyclic carbenes with chalcones leading to the synthesis of deoxy-Breslow intermediates in their oxidized form

Presented herein is the reaction of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with chalcones resulting in the isolation of the deoxy-Breslow intermediate in the oxidized form. In addition, the tetrahedral intermediate formed by the initial 1,4-addition of NHC to chalcones has also been isolated.